Wellness Program



Top of Page	GOAL To enhance the health of College of DuPage employees and their family members and reduce the modifiable health care costs of C.O.D. by more than $1,000,000 by fiscal year 2009. POTENTIAL BENEFITS For employees: Increased knowledge about the relationship between lifestyle and health Increased opportunity for employees to take control of their health and medical treatment Increased morale due to management’s interest in their health and well-being Reduced work absences Reduced medical costs Reduced pain and suffering For employers: Increased worker morale Decreased organizational conflict Increased worker productivity Informed health care, cost-conscious, workforce-positive public relations A recruitment tool for new workers Overall college cost savings: Reduced sick leave Absenteeism reduced Disability claims decreased Health care utilization Reduced premature retirement Decreased health benefit costs Fewer on-the-job accidents Lower casualty insurance costs For the community: Contributes to establishing good health as a norm Complements and reinforces national and local public health initiatives Improves quality of life of citizenry THE PROCESS This program was previously funded by a three-year grant. It is currently funded through the Human Resources department. Assessment of the college’s culture Assessment of college’s health care claims (data) Assessment of preventable data sources Program Planning Design: Target health risk categories Design and implement action programs Develop marketing strategies Follow accountable evaluation measures Develop budget and program timeline Implement programs Evaluate entire program's progress every two to three years MODIFIED CLAIMS AUDIT: OVERVIEW MODIFIED CLAIMS AUDIT: 12 HEALTH RISK CATEGORIES Accidents and violence Alcohol abuse High blood pressure High cholesterol Sedentary lifestyle STD (sexually transmitted diseases) Poor dental care Drug abuse Obesity and nutrition Poor prenatal care Stress and mental illness Smoking TOP SIX RISK CATEGORIES AT C.O.D. FOR 1996-97 1) Obesity and nutrition 3) Stress and mental illness 5) Blood pressure 2) Sedentary lifestyle 4) Accidents and violence 6) Cholesterol TOP SIX RISK CATEGORIES AT C.O.D. FOR 1999-2000 1) Sedentary lifestyle 3) Obesity 5) Alcohol 2) Accidents 4) Stress 6) Smoking Cost comparison from 96/97 to 99/00 Reduction in modifiable claims costs per employee Lifestyle claims are reduced by 8 percent FUTURE PLANS The future plans of the Wellness program at College of DuPage include the following: Fulfill the mission and vision of the Wellness program. Continual evaluation of program effectiveness Offer continual education for employees on the six areas of wellness (physical, social, spiritual, mental, family and occupational). Collaborate with Staff Development (TLC) and other areas of the College to promote the health and well-being of employees. BRIEF HISTORY In early 1998, the college underwent a Modified Claims Audit by an outside organization that took all of the health care claims of the college from 1997-1998 and broke them down into modifiable lifestyle claims and non-modifiable lifestyle claims. The modifiable health care claims, those claims that you could make lifestyle changes with, were then further broken down into 12 categories that included obesity and nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, stress and mental illness, accidents and violence, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and others. After the audit was completed, the college received a very detailed report describing the top four areas the college could make adjustments in their health care claim costs if they instituted action-oriented programs geared to reduce the costs that have incurred. Since the college was serious in reducing these costs, they realized the necessity of creating a staff position to help with coordinating and implementing these programs. The college hired a wellness coordinator in December of 1998. This coordinator is given a budget within which to work. The college looks to the Wellness program to help reduce the costs of its health care claims and also help to cultivate a culture which fosters positive, healthy relationships between all levels of management, faculty and staff.	Magy Rehayem Employee Wellness Coordinator TLC, Room 1500D (630) 942-3378 Feedback

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