The impact of worksite wellness in a small business setting.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the level of participation and effectiveness of a worksite wellness program in a small business setting. METHODS: Three years of wellness participation and risk data from Lincoln Industries was analyzed. RESULTS: All Lincoln Industry employees participated in at least some level of wellness programming. Significant improvements in body fat, blood pressure, and flexibility were observed across time. The largest improvements in risk were seen among older employees and those with the highest baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: This small business was able to improve the health of the entire workforce population by integrating wellness deeply into their culture and operations. Replication of this program in other small business settings could have a large impact on public health since 60 million adults in the United States work in small businesses.

Evaluation of a best-practice worksite wellness program in a small-employer setting using selected well-being indices.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the effectiveness of a wellness program in a small company using four well-being indicators designed to measure dimensions of physical health, emotional health, healthy behavior, and basic access to health-related conditions and services. METHODS: Indicator scores were obtained and compared between Lincoln Industries employees and workers in the neighboring Lincoln/Omaha community during 2009. RESULTS: Nearly all Lincoln Industries employees participated in the wellness program. Physical health, mental health, and healthy behavior were significantly greater for Lincoln Industries employees. Self-perceived access to basic needs was not significantly greater among Lincoln Industries employees. CONCLUSION: Well-being index scores provide evidence for the effectiveness of the wellness program in this small company setting with respect to better dimensions of physical health, emotional health, and healthy behavior than geographically similar workers.