Biometric screenings are like a secret weapon for employers, giving them a deep dive into the health status of their employees.
The reports from these screenings not only help in identifying health risks among employees but also in tracking health trends and changes over time.
Now, it's time to roll up our sleeves and figure out how to use this goldmine of information to craft effective health and wellness strategies for our workforce.
Understanding Your Data
The first step is to take a deep dive into the data to understand it thoroughly and determine a strategic approach to sustainable behavior change. Reflect on these critical questions:
- What risk factors am I trying to target?
- What does the latest research suggest?
- What are the expectations of my leadership team?
- What do employees want?
- What resources are available (money and time)?
Designing Effective Interventions
With a clear understanding of your data, it’s time to identify interventions and programs that best fit your employees and workplace culture. Here are eight impactful options to consider:
- Community Events: Encourage and reward participation in events like the Heart Walk, Relay for Life, or Race for the Cure. Forming a team can build support and create excitement around the event.
- Wellness Portal: Provide employees with access to an online wellness portal filled with health information and resources. These tools can help them set goals, monitor progress, stay motivated, and adopt healthier lifestyles.
- Sponsorship: Support employees by covering entry fees for sports teams or fitness events. Offer reduced gym membership fees or subsidize the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria or vending machines.
- Awareness Building Initiatives: Use posters, newsletters, intranet postings, paycheck stuffers, and brochures to spread awareness about physical activity, healthy eating, and other wellness topics.
- Individual Behavior Change Programs: Implement programs like health coaching or weight management programs to help employees make lasting changes to their health behaviors.
- Team Challenges: Foster a sense of community and healthy competition by having employees track their exercises and compete in wellness challenges, aiming to lose weight, get healthier, and win awards.
- Point-of-Decision Prompts: Place signs to encourage stair use, promote healthy vending machine choices, or increase fruit and vegetable consumption in the cafeteria.
- Policy Changes: Reinforce wellness program goals through workplace policies. Consider policies that support flex time, healthy catering, non-smoking environments, and physical activity breaks during meetings.
Taking Action for ROI
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to influencing behavior change, so be creative. The most important thing is to act on your biometric screening results. By doing so, you can drive a significant Return on Investment (ROI) for your corporate wellness program, ultimately fostering a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce.
Taking these steps ensures that your biometric screenings are not just a snapshot of health but a launchpad for a comprehensive, effective wellness strategy.
Image Credit: D. Sharon Pruitt
Editor's note: This post was originally published in December 2012 and was updated in May 2024 to be more comprehensive.