The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce held its inaugural Wellness at Work Conference on June 14. 2010.

1. The Impact of Physical
Activity on Workplace
Wellness
Guy J. Scotolati, M.S.
DSCC Wellness @Work Conference
UD, Clayton Hall
June14th, 2010

2. CCHS Preventive Medicine and
Rehabilitation Institute (PMRI)
An Integrative Approach to the Management of
Health for our Communities Served

3. Those Communities Served
In addition to preventive care, PMRI helps those
with a wide variety of chronic illnesses, including
those with or at risk for:
• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Pulmonary disease
• Obesity/weight management

4. Exercise Services/Pulmonary
Rehabilitation
Medically appropriate exercise for healthy and
high risk populations in an effort to improve the
individual’s function, (and as it applies) to
decrease symptoms, reduce dependence on
medications and costly interventions, and with
adherence to other healthful behaviors-- slow
down and perhaps even reverse the progression
of disease.

5. The Need to Manage our Health
• Unhealthy lifestyle the primary factor to the six leading causes of
death in the U.S.- heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory
diseases, diabetes, and accidents.
• Lifestyle-related chronic diseases account for 70% of nation’s
health care costs, over 11% of the U.S. gross domestic product.*
• Conservative estimates that high risks (high blood pressure,
cholesterol, etc.) account for at least 25% of total health costs.
*”Workplace Wellness Programs: Supporting Scientific Research
and Wellness Statistics”, Health Promotion First Act, D.
Anderson, PhD., Stay Well Health Management

6. Where we’re heading…..
Medical costs expected to grow at 7.2% each
year through 2015, when health expenditures
will account for 20% of the gross domestic
product.

7. Evaluating the Economics of Health
Risk Factors
In a cross-sectional analysis of 45,976 employees in a
diversified industrial work force setting, E. I. du Pont
Nemours in Wilmington, DE found that employees
with any of six behavioral risks had significantly higher
absenteeism (range = 10% to 32%) compared to those
without risks.
These differences led to significantly higher illness costs
(defined as compensation, health care, and non-health
care benefits)

8. The High Cost of Being Unhealthy
Annual excess illness costs per person at risk**
• Smoking: $960
• Overweight: $401
• Excess alcohol:$389
• Elevated cholesterol: $370
• High blood pressure: $343
• Lack of exercise: $130
The total cost to du Pont of excess illness was conservatively estimated at $70.8
million annually.
**”The Effects of Behavioral Risks on Absenteeism and Health-Care Costs in the Workplace”,
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bertera, Robert L., Dr. PH, 1991

9. Results of what some companies
have done ***
Well power of Unum Life Insurance Co.
• 2000 participants
• Evaluation period: 10 years beginning in 1985
• Comprehensive program incl. occ health/safety, health
educ., exercise and recreation opportunities
• Realized an est. savings of $132 to $237K for smoking
cessation
• Cost benefit analysis of 1993 and 1994 medical claims
indicated an ROI of 1:1.81

10. Companies’ results…
Citibank
• 22,933 in medical study and 21,749 in absenteeism study
• Evaluation period: median of 26-38 months beginning in 1994
• Evaluated the financial impact of their health management program (initial
screening of entire population followed by high vs. low risk
intervention/education programs)
• Realized an ROI of 6.47 to 8.81 for every dollar invested (research studies
have shown an average health cost savings of $3.48 and rates of absenteeism
as $5.82 for every dollar invested in workplace wellness programs)

11. Companies’ results…
Chevron
• 950 participants
• Evaluation period: 2.5 years
• Evaluate the impact of their “Health Quest” fitness program
(incl. weight control, nutrition, and stress management) on
medical expenditures
• Realized medical expenditures significantly lower for those who
used the fitness center at least twice weekly
*** “A Review and Analysis of the Clinical and Cost-effectiveness Studies of Comprehensive Health
Promotion and Disease Management Programs at the Worksite: 1995-1998 Update”, Pelletier,
Kenneth R., American Journal of Health Promotion, 1999, 13 (6): 333-345.

12. Exercise and Risk Factor Control
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Excess weight/obesity
• Tension/anxiety/depression
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Age
• Heredity

13. Revisiting “the High (excess) Cost of
Being Unhealthy”
• Smoking: $960
• Overweight: $401
• Excess alcohol: $389
• Elevated cholesterol: $370
• High blood pressure: $343
• Lack of exercise: $130
Total: $1,244*
* Savings with the addition of regular effective physical activity

14. Physical Activity Fundamental to
Preventing Disease
Study by researchers at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention found that increasing
regular moderate physical activity among
inactive Americans over age 15 might reduce the
annual national direct medical costs by as much
as $76.6 billion in 2000 dollars

15. Benefit to Employers
Workplace physical activity programs can:
• Reduce short-term sick leave by 6-32 %
• Reduce health care costs by 20-55%
• Increase productivity by 2-52%

16. How to Improve your Company’s
“Fiscal” Fitness
• Need to risk stratify your population (HRAs, biometric
screenings)
• Education (handouts, company mailers,
workshops/seminars, lunch-n-learns)
• Determine internal/external resources to supply
information and/or support your initiatives
• Break down barriers to ensure easy access
• Incentivize
• Measure outcomes!