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by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.
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Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose, But That's Not The Case With Corporate Wellness Programs

Friday December 17, 2004

A recent (December 1, 2004) "News in Brief" story at (Workforce Management) celebrates a finding from the American Management Association (AMA) that more companies than ever offer corporate wellness programs. That sounds promising.

The percentage of companies extending exercise and fitness program options is up in one year from 47 to 55 percent; stress management and nutrition skill area training also advanced, to 46 and 39 percent levels from previous rates of only 33 and 25 percent, respectively. Furthermore, nearly half (45 percent) of the firms surveyed contributed in whole or part to the cost of health club memberships. Assuming most programs are of good quality, some measure of health status advances should result from these corporate initiatives. This seems a logical consequence of more employees investing more energy in enhancing their health and well-being than would have been the case absent the wellness initiatives. 

Of further interest in the AMA study is the finding that only "35 percent of companies that offer wellness programs give employees incentives for participating." While an opportunity to learn how to minimize illness and maximize health should be incentive enough, those most in need of exercise and such are least likely to seize the day, unless short-term tangible rewards beyond health gains are provided. In other words, I think more would participate if bribes were tendered!  
 
Regrettably, the AMA survey included such health risk reduction and/or medical procedure matters as smoking cessation, blood pressure checks, weight management and even the administration of flu shots as elements of "wellness" programs! These are all worthy and good medical initiatives and prevention activities, but they are clearly not wellness programs. The fact that the AMA called them such demonstrates a continued lack of understanding about the nature of the wellness concept. As a result of this semantic confusion, AMA and other corporate surveys are often quite misleading, as in this instance.

If given the chance to advise the AMA on the nature of wellness, I would try to convey the sense that the concept is and ought to be defined and understood as quite different from prevention, risk discovery and reduction and all things medical. Unlike the preceding matters, wellness is about enhancing quality of life. Outcomes associated with wellness investments include ebullience, resilience, personal responsibility and joy in life. Wellness does encompass fitness, nutrition and stress management, all elements of the AMA programs surveyed, but unlike medical checks and the rest of the non-wellness issues, it also involves enhancement strategies for relationships, critical thinking, finding added meaning and purpose (called "spirituality" by most faith-based Americans), humor, play and more. These areas are not at all addressed to recover from disease, crises, setbacks or other traumas. Instead, they are targeted toward enjoying life more, strengthening the sense that life is good and even beautiful at times and that optimism is warranted insofar as the future is concerned. 

Let's welcome the news that corporations support wellness, but always take a closer look to see what they include under that still poorly understood banner of wellness. 

While you're doing so, try to remember to always look on the bright side of life.

Domain: mental
Subdomain: factual knowledge

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