Resumen

MEYER, Julie  y  HERRERA CUENCA, Marianella. Global workplace wellness strategies: Localizing programs is key ingredient for success. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2013, vol.26, n.1, pp.23-25. ISSN 0798-0752.

Global employers are paying a steep cost for the chronic conditions afflicting their employees. Once limited to only industrialized nations, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers are global. Workplace wellness programs are a key solution and corporations are taking notice. In 2003, the World Health Organization conducted a review to determine the outcomes of physical activity and diet-related workplace interventions. Comprehensive programs resulted in a 25-30% reduction in medical and absenteeism costs in approximately three and a half years. Two examples demonstrate effective programs on local and global level. The Unilever Lamplighter program saw a 40 percent drop in the number of high-risk employees in some regions, and improved attitude as employees felt more engaged in their work, less likely to take time off work due to health problems, able to perform better in their job, less likely to be adversely affected by pressure at work and more likely to practice healthy behaviors at work. The IC Health program in India engaged 20,000 employees of ten different companies in ten different regions. The intervention lasted four years and included clinical monitoring and lifestyle programs. Results showed it worked with risk factors including body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum cholesterol and glucose levels decreasing in the intervention group while the same risk factors in the control group increased. Moving forward, key program elements must include proof of return on investment (ROI), localized information, use of technology and environmental support to make a difference in the health of global employees.

Palabras clave : Employees; workplace; absenteeism; chronic diseases.

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