Active Southern West Virginia, in partnership with The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, The West Virginia Bureau of Public Health, and the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, is announced the new Active SWV Workplace Wellness Pilot Program at the Regional Economic Summit on November 17th.
This healthy workplace initiative will be one of the first of it’s kind in the state. Created to meet the demand for healthy employees in a global economy, this program will also provide employers relief from the direct and indirect costs of an unhealthy workforce. As explained by Audrey Tillman, EVP Corporate Sales at Aflac, “These costs can amount to a massive burden for employers and the families of employees. By addressing the root cause, employees and employers can avoid these costs before they start.”
Powered by Active Southern West Virginia, the Workplace Wellness program inspires healthy personal and professional habits and provides both opportunities to get and stay active and strategies to navigate health care resources efficiently and effectively. The goal of this program is to retain and create jobs by improving the regional workforce and ability to attract new businesses to the area.
Active Southern West Virginia, in partnership with the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health Division of Health Promotion Chronic Disease, will provide the technical assistance necessary to improve the quality of life within the workplace in southern West Virginia. This program follows evidence-based action plans, provided through the CDC Worksite Health Score Card. Vaught Inc., Access Health, New River Health, and the departments of the City of Beckley are the initial corporate participants.
“We’re really excited to be a part of this pilot program. We’ve always believed that a healthy workforce is going to be more engaged and productive than a population struggling with ongoing health issues.” Says pilot program participant Chris Vaught.
Evan Jenkins noted, “In order to attract new businesses to our region and build on our state’s legacy of powering the Industrial Revolution, this initiative will improve the health of our workforce and create a new economy for all West Virginians.”
Now Accepting 15 New Worksites!
This program will begin December 2, 2016 through December 31, 2017. Optional monthly meetings and personal technical assistance provided by Active SWV trained staff.
Pilot Arrangement:
Wellness committees are selected at each work-site powered by Active SWV staff to facilitate the use of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Scorecard to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate on an annual basis. National and state wide comparison reports are provided. The program works across these subjects; Tobacco control, Nutrition, Lactation support, Physical activity, Weight management, Stress management, Depression, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Diabetes, Signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, Emergency response to heart attack and stroke, Occupational health and safety, and Vaccine-preventable diseases.
The Workplace Wellness program is open to all businesses as a regional resource, and is currently seeking 15 more business participants for the second stage pilot program. For more information on joining this program, please contact Melanie Seiler, Executive Director of Active SWV at 304-254-8488 or [email protected].
The Impact of Wellness Plans on America’s Workforce
By Audrey Tillman EVP Corporate Sales, Aflac
- The indirect costs of poor health, such as an absence from work and reduced work productivity, can result in two or three times the amount of direct medical costs.
- One-fourth of health care costs incurred by working adults are attributed to changeable health risks, such as tobacco use, diet, and lack of exercise.
- A comprehensive analysis of 42 published studies of worksite health promotion programs showed that companies that implemented an effective wellness program realized significant cost reductions and financial gains, including:
- An average of 28% reduction in sick days
- An average of 26% reduction in health costs
- An average of 30% reduction in workers’ compensation and disability management claims
- An average $5.93 to $1 savings-to-cost ratio.
- Nearly seven out of 10 employees (69%) would participate in wellness programs if provided by their companies.
- In order for companies to be effective in the implementation of a successful wellness environment, all company leaders should be relentless in their efforts.
