The Fallacy of ‘Wellness’ and ‘Prevention’

In recent years, the terms ‘Wellness’ and ‘Prevention’ have joined the lexicon of meaningless buzzwords weighted with overblown importance. In this regard they join ‘Healthy’, ‘Organic’ and ‘Green’. Worse, they have become burdens for every corporation regardless of size industry sector who feel that they must offer these programs to retain employees and remain competitive. Unfortunately, no one can agree on what these terms mean.

In most settings, wellness and prevention programs resemble the team building craze of the 80’s. From ‘Biggest Loser’ contests to corporate memberships at the local health club to ‘healthy’ options in the company cafeteria, they contribute to the belief that those who embrace the wellness culture will be healthier and more productive and, most importantly, will stay out of the health care system.

A report released by Trust for America's Health in July 2008 finds that these lifestyle based wellness programs could result in significant savings in U.S. health care costs. In its report, entitled Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities, TFAH concluded that implementing these programs reduce rates of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure by 5 percent within 2 years; reduce heart disease, kidney disease, and stroke by 5 percent within 5 years; and reduce some forms of cancer, arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 2.5 percent within 10 to 20 years.

Unfortunately, most corporations operate on a quarterly timeline. Moreover, employees are so mobile that the corporation that funds these programs is frequently not the beneficiary of the new and improved ‘healthy’ employee. Thus, while the 'feel good' part of wellness programs is important, corporations need to manage their wellness programs with an eye to near-term Return On Investment. So, while weight loss and exercise programs are fun and contribute to the corporate culture and may eventually pay for themselves, the folks who are most likely to participate in these programs are often those who need it least.

True preventive medicine identifies problems in their earliest stages and addresses them when intervention is most effective and least expensive. PrevaHealth Wellness Diagnostic Center offers state-of-the-art EBT technology - the gold standard in early disease detection. Non-invasively, without drugs or needles, we find heart and cardiovascular disease and many types of cancer - often years before the appearance of symptoms and before they are detectable with any other test. We find the heart disease, cancer and other diseases that, if discovered and treated in their early stages, will save lives and avoid expensive healthcare tragedies.

Our unique corporate screening programs are designed to keep your employees working and out of hospitals and doctors offices. Call us to find out how we can guarantee a positive ROI for your corporate wellness program.