Promoting Healthy Behaviors Promotes Improved Outcomes
June 2, 2006
Programs that focus on education, prevention and wellness have been shown to
promote improved outcomes for individuals with certain medical conditions, such
as obesity and pregnancy. Employers who offer such programs also reap
benefits--a healthier, more satisfied and productive workforce; less
absenteeism; and reduced costs associated with health care and recruitment.
With their potential for serious long-range complications, obesity and pregnancy are among the top spenders for companies that are self-insured.
- The National Business Group on Health estimates the annual cost of obesity
to US employers to be nearly $13 billion. This represents more than nine percent
of companies’ total health care expenses.
- The March of Dimes reports the direct health care costs to employers during a premature baby’s first year of life to average15 times more than the costs following a full-term delivery. Premature babies comprise 11 percent of newborns covered by workplace health plans.
Inova Care Management helps employers develop a wellness-focused framework to support their health care management strategy by offering Inova WeightNET and Inova BabyNET. Both products offer a proven combination of educational resources and individualized support from highly trained clinicians and health educators to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Confidentiality of all participants is respected.
Inova Care Management also helps employers create customized promotional materials to promote awareness and utilization of these programs.
Inova WeightNET is a progressive, goal-oriented program designed to address all aspects of weight management. The program includes assessment and monitoring along with dietary, behavioral, social/cultural and activity therapy—established parameters for a comprehensive weight loss and maintenance program.
This is what participants receive:
- initial and quarterly physical assessments
- weight loss plan based on health risks, lifestyle needs and learning styles
- online classes
- monthly newsletters and online tip sheets
- support via e-mail and, as needed, over the phone
Successful weight loss and maintenance is highly dependent on healthy lifestyle choices. In 2005, almost 60 percent of Inova WeightNET participants met their weekly goals. This contributed to an average per quarter loss of seven pounds per participant.
Although employers have the option to fully fund the program, they may want to consider sharing the cost with employees. There is some evidence that individuals who ‘buy into’ a program are more committed to achieving success.
Inova BabyNET is designed to improve all aspects of pregnancy and lactation. For women and their families, that means a greater chance of delivering a healthy full-term baby that needs only routine medical care. For employers, that means substantial savings. The costs associated with a preterm delivery, intensive medical care, employee absenteeism and lost productivity are typically more than $100,000 through the baby’s first year.
Inova BabyNET customers’ average yearly return on investment (ROI) has been $3 for every $1 spent.
Premature babies are at increased risk for serious complications affecting virtually every organ system. Every additional week in utero decreases the risk of expensive hospital stays and long term complications. Half of all preterm deliveries have known risk factors that can benefit from individualized support and education. Care Managers work with women one on one to make healthy behavior choices that reduce the chances of a preterm birth. Even among those with no known high risk factors, consistent prenatal education improves outcomes. Inova BabyNET helps women partner with their physicians to have the best birth and healthiest baby possible.
Women who commit to breastfeeding provide far-reaching benefits. Nursing mothers have a lower risk of obesity and breast and ovarian cancer, and their babies tend to be healthier, which results in less absenteeism, greater productivity and fewer health insurance claims. Inova BabyNET works with employers to encourage employees to return to work and make the workplace supportive of mothers who continue to breastfeed.
Inova BabyNET provides coordinated, comprehensive education and support that supplements a woman’s obstetric and post-natal care. In addition to monthly newsletters, classes and a dedicated Web site, participants have 24/7 on-line or phone access to specially trained nurses who address their concerns.
Highlights of Inova BabyNET include the following:
- early screening for risk factors and personal needs assessment
- incentives for healthy behaviors
- reinforcement of recognition of signs and symptoms of preterm labor
- improved communication with health care providers
Inova BabyNET works. Surveys indicate that 92 percent of participants made healthy behavior choices based on enrollment in the program. And in 2005, Inova BabyNET reduced the number of expected preterm births among participants by 50 percent.
For more information on Inova Care Management or to request a quote for WeightNET or BabyNET, go to www.inova.org and click on “Workplace Health.” Or contact Jeffrey Carr at 703-321-2555 or Jeffrey.Carr@inova.org.
Articles are written by professional journalists, who strive to present reliable health information. They are not intended to be a substitute for medical care and advice.
