The health care debate surrounds many issues: the cost of care, the quality of care, insurance options, doctor pay. But as Cleveland Clinic CEO Dr. Toby Cosgrove points out on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer, one thing we aren’t talking about is the way preventable disease is burdening the system. According to Cosgrove, “Obesity now accounts for 10 percent of the health care costs in the United States and $147 billion, and smoking accounts for $100 billion.”
Marketplace reports that some companies are doing something about it. Despite having to cut employees, many firms are still retaining their wellness programs. These include things like free yoga, stress management, nutrition education, cholesterol screenings and help to stop smoking. Why not keep the employees instead of spending on free yoga? For one thing, wellness programs are cheap. They cost as little as one dollar per month per employee. They also help improve productivity and reduce sick days. Most importantly, it helps morale and keeps remaining employees healthier and happier. And, oh yeah, they also prove to be better for the bottom line: Companies that provide wellness programs on average have 20 percent higher revenue per worker.
Photo courtesy of Carolyn Coles, via Flickr