For over 30 years, my teams and I have developed, implemented, and evaluated
The United States: A focus on health cost
Leading U.S. employers offer robust health and wellness programs, providing access to fitness facilities, medical clinics, discounted healthcare plans, mental health resources, and lifestyle improvement programs. The primary driver for these efforts is the rising cost of health benefits, workers' compensation, and chronic disease management in an aging workforce.
Despite these efforts, many companies struggle with employee retention and increasing costs due to a lack of best practices. Younger generations crave flexible work arrangements, digital health tools, and more mental health resources. Research suggests a shift towards holistic well-being, encompassing purpose, engagement, and connection beyond physical health. Employees who feel a sense of purpose and value in their work, along with fair compensation, tend to be healthier, more productive and loyal to their employers.
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A study by Jessica Grossmeier, former vice president of Research at the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO) and author of "
The C. Everett Koop National Health Award continues to be the gold standard for workplace health and well-being programs by recognizing organizations that demonstrate measurable improvements in employee health and business outcomes. Named in honor of the late U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, who co-founded The Health Project, the Award highlights forward thinking employers who effectively integrate evidence-based initiatives into their workplace cultures.
Rebecca Kelly, PhD, RDN, 2024 chair of The Health Project, emphasized the distinction of the Award. "The C. Everett Koop National Health Award stands apart from other workplace award programs in that it emphasizes the importance of demonstrating measurable health outcomes and cost-effectiveness, backed by a business rationale that includes rigorous data analysis," said Kelly. Kelly noted that past award recipients have set examples of how to sustain healthier workplaces by demonstrating their value on investment.
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Belize: A developing landscape
In Belize, there's less emphasis on worker health beyond safety programs and health insurance offerings. However, there's growth in programs offered by health insurance providers and some movement towards mental health resources through third-party vendors and government social security benefits. Employee benefits are not a top priority, with base and bonus pay being the primary focus for employees.
Belizeans face challenges related to safety, low wages, and access to healthcare. While these situations are improving, disparities exist across the country. Chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease are on the rise, mirroring trends in the United States. Processed foods, sugary drinks, and limited access to fresh produce contribute to this. Moving forward, Belizean employers will need to prioritize employee education, preventive healthcare, and professional development.
G.A. Roe & Sons, a Belizean holding company with diverse business interests, offers safety programs, training, health insurance and employee assistance programs for mental health. Shaeleen Castillo, chief operating officer, states, "Fostering a safe and healthy work environment through programs that support overall well-being reflects our commitment to helping our employees flourish." Other companies in Belize are following suit, offering health insurance and training programs to support employee health, safety, and career development.
Italy: prioritizing work-life balance and addressing emerging challenges
The Italian way of life emphasizes food quality, daily movement and a relaxed lifestyle. Employers prioritize creating a culture that supports work-life balance, aiming to reduce sick days and improve productivity. However, the aging workforce faces an increasing burden of chronic diseases, while younger workers demand more mental health resources, flexible work arrangements and digital health tools.
Leading causes of death in Italy include heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer, often linked to lifestyle factors like smoking, air pollution and poor diet. Roberto Sciarra, general manager of One On One Wellness Management, observes that workplace wellness programs in Italy have evolved significantly. Starting with basic employee meals after World War II, the focus shifted to workplace safety and ergonomics.
Today, programs emphasize various lifestyle interventions, from the classic corporate fitness areas to smoking cessation programs and disease prevention for conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Sciarra notes that companies' primary focus changed from reducing sick days and maximizing productivity during pre-Covid years to engaging employees to stay motivated. He emphasizes the growing importance of addressing burnout and mental health.
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Marco Del Punta, global head of HR at Savino Del Bene, highlights their focus on providing flexible welfare services, particularly for parents of young children, given the low birth rate in Italy. They prioritize creating a safe and supportive work environment that fosters a sense of community and allows for spontaneity.
Access to best practices
Wolf Kristen, a leader of the Global Healthy Workplace Awards, emphasizes the importance of engaging companies of all sizes in best practices, using the World Health Organization model for worksite health. The awards program has recognized over 400 companies worldwide, including prominent organizations like Chevron, Unilever, and Mars.
HERO offers an international version of its scorecard, also free to utilize, to assist employers globally in assessing their adherence to best practices. "Modelled after the U.S. version, the HERO International Scorecard is designed for use by employers in any county. Most important, however, is that cultural sensitivities were taken into account when designing this version. We invite organizations across the globe to leverage this valuable resource as a place to start when developing a multiyear population health and well-being strategy. "Identify opportunities for improvement and measure progress over time." says Karen Mosely, president & CEO of HERO.
Human capital is the most valuable asset for any organization. Regardless of location, creating a safe and healthy workplace that supports optimal employee well-being should be a priority. While factors like rising healthcare costs, reduced sick days, and improved productivity may initially drive these initiatives, a proactive approach is essential for long-term success. By utilizing best practices and assessing their current programs, employers can effectively evolve their workplace health and well-being strategies and potentially earn recognition from prestigious award programs.
