EHS perspectives on wellness: survey

Nearly 75 percent of all U.S. employers offer some type of wellness program, according to a report by Providence, RI-based wellness program provider Shape Up.

A recent National Safety Council survey provides insight into the types of wellness programming championed by environmental, health and safety professionals, including those working for smaller businesses. NSC surveyed 380 registered users of its Family Safety & Health Employer Resource during the registration process from 2010 to 2011 on topics including worksite and organizational wellness programming. About 40 percent of respondents were from businesses employing fewer than 250 employees, and nearly 70 percent identified their worksite as having fewer than 250 employees. Nearly two-thirds of respondents were EHS professionals and had worked more than 10 years in the industry.

Among the survey’s findings:

• 55 percent reported that wellness information is regularly distributed to their organization’s employees.
• 60 percent used wellness tools, health screenings and/or risk assessments to promote off-the-job safety and health, and 29 percent used the resulting data in evaluations of their organization’s overall health, safety and wellness program.
• The most commonly reported wellness and health promotion activities included immunization (56 percent), physical activity and fitness (54 percent), and nutrition (53 percent).
• Among wellness activities they would like their organization to provide that are not currently in place, half reported asthma and allergy programs; 47 percent reported diabetes prevention programs; and 46 percent reported programs addressing heart health, stroke and high blood pressure.