Employee Wellness 2.0

When launching a wellness program, it's good to start with the basics--a health screening, risk assessment, and nutritional education. But once a program is firmly established, what's next? According to a recent study, the latest trend in corporate wellness is targeting chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and depression.

The results of a survey conducted by Hewitt Associates are startling: In 2008, 51 percent of companies surveyed said they had launched programs to curtail specific health conditions. This year, 80 percent have done so.

It's easy to understand why. The study estimates that "a company with 9,500 employees and 500 pre-65 retirees spends $18 million to $22 million on medical care just for its diabetic population." Even if you have a much smaller workforce, those are scary numbers.

As a side note, I love how one company has made employee success stories a part of its in-house communications. It's a great way to encourage participation and reward employees' hard work.