systemspotlight
wellness good business
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Twenty-three businesses are already working toward a healthier workplace with the BHS Workforce Health Initiative.
BHS expands ministry to the workplace through an employee wellness program B y : S u s a n P. M o o r e
Worksites, where most adults typically spend at least half of their waking
relationship between the employee, his family
hours, have a powerful impact on an individual’s health.
and our BHS physicians,” she said. “And, regular
Recognizing the workplace as a prime venue for promoting healthier lives, Baptist Health
health care helps identify problems earlier and more cost-efficiently. It can truly make a differ-
System developed a Workforce Health Initiative. “By identifying health risks within a workforce, this initiative provides businesses with solutions
designed by health experts to help reduce employee illness and injuries and promote healthy habits and lifestyles,” said Laura Catherine Mason, employer relations specialist for Baptist Health System.
ence; even save a life.” Saving lives – that’s the goal of Hanna Steel Corporation’s participation in the program. One of their employees, a young man
Dividends for both employee and employer
How it works
about 39, had a heart attack and died in route
The program is provided to employers for a
to the hospital, explained David Monroe, direc-
For an employee, improved health may mean
small cost per employee for screenings, which
tor of human resources at Hanna Steel. “His
weight reduction, increased stamina, de-
include glucose, cholesterol, body composi-
wife had encouraged him to go to the doctor,
creased stress and increased well-being. And
tion, blood pressure, bone density and others
but he kept putting it off. We want to prevent
improved health for employees can be just
performed at the workplace. Employees
that from happening again; we want our em-
as valuable for employers, according to a U.S.
receive confidential personal health reports of
ployees to think more about their health.”
Department of Health and Human Services
their results. These reports are the basis of a
report, which cited reduced health care costs,
Group Health Profile, which summarizes the
employees and operates in Alabama and
reduced absenteeism and increased productiv-
primary health conditions within the compa-
Illinois, kicked off participation with health
ity as examples.
ny’s workforce. The group profile signals health
fairs, screenings, drawings for cash and lots of
concerns that can be addressed with subse-
encouragement.
“Workforce Health offers a proactive approach to health care,” said Laura Catherine.
quent health education seminars or resources
“It begins by identifying risk factors. Then, with
provided by BHS at no cost to the employer.
education and on-site programs, employees can choose a healthier path.” Most of the ten leading causes of prema-
“It’s not a cookie-cutter program,” Laura
The steel manufacturer, which has 450
“Sometimes men make sure their wives and children go for health check-ups, but tell themselves they’re just too busy,” said Monroe.
Catherine explained. “Working with the em-
Feedback about the program has been good
ployer, we craft an individualized strategy to
from the corporation’s predominantly male
ture death in the U.S. are in some way linked
address employee needs as well as evaluate
workforce. Many admitted they wouldn’t have
to personal behaviors -- behaviors that may
ongoing health statistics within the company.”
done this on their own. “But, they were glad
contribute to disease or exacerbate existing
Participating businesses run the gamut
we offered the screenings, especially those who
health problems. Tobacco use, diet and activity
from large manufacturing facilities to smaller
discovered they had problems such as diabetes
patterns are among the daily decisions that
family businesses; yet Laura Catherine said
or high blood pressure.”
can affect risk for heart disease, diabetes,
some findings are proving common. “About
“The BHS Workforce Health Initiative is
cancer and more.
70% of the employees we’ve worked with in
helping improve the quality of people’s lives,”
Twenty-three businesses across north-
Birmingham are overweight. That’s a big risk
said Laura Catherine, “and at Baptist Health
central Alabama -- with workforces ranging
factor for heart disease, diabetes, orthopedic
System, that’s what we do — it’s our mission.”
from 50 workers to more than 3,000 – have
issues and other health problems.”
already taken the step toward a healthier
Another frequently identified issue is
workplace with the BHS Workforce Health
lack of primary care. “This offers opportunities
Initiative.
to develop an ongoing family health care
24 Stewardship
To learn more about Baptist Health System’s Workforce Health program, call 205-715-5334 or email Laura.Mason@bhsala.com.
Princeton Baptist’s Sybil Sims (right) helps Johnny Cochran during a workplace screening at Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc. in Birmingham.
Fall/Winter 08-09 25