John Kelly, M.D.

Chairman of the HTAA Health and Medical Advisory Board

Company health and wellness programs

Many companies have established effective health and wellness programs to help their workers. The programs may include health education, efforts to support healthy lifestyles, health risk assessments, preventive screenings, stopping smoking, healthy eating, increased physical activity and improved mental health.
     Workers who participate in company health and wellness programs often improve awareness of their health risks, develop effective plans to reduce their health risks, and improve their health and wellness. Examples of workers who have successfully used company programs to improve their health and wellness are often described in Driver HEALTH magazine.
     Recently passed health care reform legislation included important provisions which should improve company health and wellness programs. The legislation requires:
1.     Development of a national health promotion plan.
2.     Enhanced health promotion research.
3.     Technical assistance to enhance evaluation of company health programs.
4.     Periodic surveys on company health program prevalence and components.
5.     Grants to pay a portion of the cost of comprehensive company health promotion programs for small employers.
6.     Opportunities for employers to offer workers a premium discount for positive lifestyle practices or participation in health promotion programs.
     The initial goals of the national health promotion plan will be to reduce tobacco use, improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce obesity. The national health promotion plan will also focus on reducing the leading preventable causes of death and disability.
     More than 70 percent of chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer, are preventable by reduction of avoidable health risks due to smoking, poor eating, inadequate exercise and excess weight. 
     To use company health and wellness programs to improve their health and wellness, workers should:
1.     Understand their health and wellness risks.
2.     Learn about their company health and wellness programs.
3.     Participate in company health and wellness programs that meet their needs.
     Company health and wellness programs can help workers better understand their health and wellness risks, reduce those health and wellness risks and improve their overall health and wellness.
     John T. Kelly, M.D., is Chief Medical Officer of Lifeclinic International, which manufactures blood pressure and weight monitors installed in many trucking locations. Dr. Kelly previously served as Chief Health and Medical Officer of Union Pacific Railroad. Dr. Kelly can be contacted at JKelly@lifeclinic.com.