In order to get the most benefit out of an on-site health screening, it is important to pick the type of health screening that will work best for your employees and provide the right data for your wellness program. When looking at a biometric screening program, companies can choose between a fingerstick or venous blood draw. For most companies, the fingerstick method is the preferred method.

This June marks the fourth annual National Employee Wellness Month, an initiative that provides business leaders with fresh ideas and proven strategies around corporate wellness. At TotalWelllness, we know a healthy workplace plays a key role in preventing and managing chronic disease. As a proud supporter of National Employee Wellness Month, TotalWellness believes that the workplace should be an environment that supports employees by providing resources to improve their health. Here are few of the things we’ve put in place:

• Improving employee morale
• Reducing health care costs
• Reducing sick days taken by employees
• Increasing employee productivity
• Decreasing workers’ compensation claim costs
• Enhancing the work environment and employee morale 
• Attracting new employees 

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 26 million people in the U.S. have diabetes. About seven million of these individuals are undiagnosed. The rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes should not be overlooked by employers: In 2007, diabetes and pre-diabetes cost the U.S. an estimated $218 billion in direct and indirect costs due to higher medical expenses and lost productivity. In addition to increasing risk of glaucoma, stroke, or heart disease, people with diabetes often suffer from acute symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and infections. No matter how large or small your workforce, your company will be increasingly affected by diabetes.

The first step: People should get screened. Screenings for employees are a good investment, a fight against a costly illness.

TotalWellness offers on-site health screenings that include blood glucose and A1C tests, which can help identify diabetes among your employees. An A1C test helps participants understand how well blood sugar has been controlled over a period of time. Blood sugar values fluctuate over the course of a day or week, so an A1C gives them a picture of the average blood sugar over the past three months.

Are you doing enough to show your employees that you value their health? Having a quality employee health and wellness program shows employees, including prospective employees, that you value your employees. Here are a few simple things you can do to create a healthier workplace.

February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and educate employees on what they can do to live heart-healthy lives.