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Don Fitzgibbons, vice president for business development at Interactive Health Solutions, presents Healthiest Company awards to Maureen Massaro, associate vice president for human resources, and LuAnn Shafer, assistant director of human resources. |
IHS evaluated more than 1,000 participating companies using its proprietary metric called Interactive Health Index (IHI), which assesses individual health via indicators of heart disease, diabetes, smoking and other risk factors that are at least in part controllable by the individual. A cumulative IHI score is then calculated for company, and awards were presented in three categories – most improved score, best in class (based on like industry) and healthiest company.
For the first time since first participating in the program in 1998, Wittenberg earned IHS's highest distinction of "Healthiest Company."
"Although it is nearly impossible to calculate the cost savings from our wellness programs, we can say with certainty that since we began focusing on wellness, our health care costs have increased at a much slower rate than the national averages," said Associate Vice President for Human Resources Maureen Massaro. "The faculty and staff who participate in our programs are very appreciative of the university's investment in their health and well-being."
Wittenberg employs more than 350 people, with approximately 50 percent participating in its preventative care program, including an annual Health Fair that helps employees understand where they stand on specific health measures. Approximately 11 percent of the Wittenberg employees who participated in the Health Fair learned of treatable conditions as a result of their participation in the program.
Throughout the year, IHS provides medical resources, health coaching and Web-based information about specific conditions. IHS also keeps in regular contact with each employee to provide reminders, status details and recommendations.
IHS has found that in a typical company, its health evaluations uncover about 58 percent of employees with conditions previously unknown and/or untreated that require some type of medical intervention. Research shows that without preventative care, many of those employees then migrate to higher health risk categories due to the lack of early care.
"The program increases employee's health awareness and accountability, and it solves the problem of people not getting the attention and care they may need," said Joseph O'Brien, IHS president.
Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photos By: Robert Gantt
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