Gundersen Lutheran

Employee Wellness Program

Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse, Wisconsin realizes that the health of a workforce has a direct impact on the cost of healthcare for businesses. The health system recognized the opportunity in their employees and developed wellness programs that target key risk factors which contribute to the rising cost of care.

Gundersen’s wellness program, which has seen year-over-year decreases in several health risk indicators, contributes its success to several components including:

• A tobacco cessation program;
• A 12-week lifestyle modification program which helps participants with weight loss;
• A healthy eating program that helps participants choose eating selections that are controlled in fat and calories at more than 40 food retailers;
• A unique partnership with a local vending company which allows for smarter snack choices;
• A variety of options for employees to incorporate physical activity before or after their workday or during their lunch break, including exercise classes and onsite fitness centers.

Results

• The percentage of employees with three or more health risks has declined from 14.7 percent in 2005 to 11.3.
• Data from 2006-07 has shown that 78% of employees enrolled in a smoking cessation program quit successfully, while only 43% of employees not enrolled in the program had the same result.
• Weight loss participants lose an average of 10 to 12 pounds during the 12-week weight loss course and more than 50% of participants report engaging in exercise four to five days a week.
• More than 1,400 participants attended Gundersen exercise classes in 2007, while the onsite fitness centers were used more than 7,100 times.
• Gundersen Lutheran received the Wellness Councils of America Gold Well Workplace award in 2008 and is one of the only 19 companies in Wisconsin to have received the award since 1991.
• Gundersen Lutheran is one of only four Wisconsin employers to receive the Gold Governor’s Worksite Wellness Award from the Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Health. As of November 1, 2008, Gundersen had the highest total score of all companies to receive the award.
• The American Heart Association recognized Gundersen Lutheran’s commitment to promoting exercise and good nutrition in the workplace with its Start! Fit Friendly Gold Award in 2008.

*** Submitted by Joan Curran, Chief of Government Relations and External Affairs, Gundersen Lutheran Health System, jlcurran@gundluth.org

Published: January 26, 2009