Carrots And Sticks: Workplace Wellness

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2013-03-04/carrots-and-sticks-workplace-wellness
Carrots And Sticks: Workplace Wellness

Kojo explores the new approaches companies are taking to boost workplace wellness, and whether offering workers financial incentives to get healthy works in the long term.

In the past decade, U.S. health insurance premiums skyrocketed. Employers are now managing those costs by passing more of them onto workers -- and by offering them incentives to live healthier lifestyles. We explore the new approaches companies are taking to boost workplace wellness, and whether such incentives will work in the long run.

Guests

Katie Sweeney

Employee Wellness Manager for Arlington County, VA.

Kevin Volpp

Professor of Medicine and Health Care Management at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania; Director of the Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics at the Leonard Davis Institute

Ron Goetzel

Research Professor and Director of the Institute for Health and Productivity Studies at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health; Vice President of Consulting and Applied Research, Truven Health Analytics

Related Links

Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics - University of Pennsylvania
Arlington County, Virginia
Truven Health Analytics
Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
The Health Project - C. Everett Koop National Health Awards

HealthSmart Trail Mix Recipe

Healthy snacks like trail mix are not only delicious and nutritious, they're also portable and easy to make. Swap ingredients for a different healthy cereal, nut, and/or dried fruit to make it your own. Recipe developed by Michel Powers-Farber, R.D.

Ingredients
5 cups cereal (like Cinnamon puffs)
2 cups nuts (unsalted pecans)
3/4 cups unsalted pumpkin seeds (Pepitas)
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients and portion into 1/2 cup servings in baggies.

Nutrition Information
Around 200 calories
Carbs: 17.6 grams
Protein: 9 grams
Fat: 12 grams
Fiber: 4.5 grams

Comments

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banquomd wrote:

Hello,

my company REQUIRES me enroll in a wellness program in order to receive a lower co-pay. Can you comment on this trend?

Stephen

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 1:26pm
VJ Mayor wrote:

Hi Kojo,

How can a wellness program work in conjunction with getting a whole employee's family active? ie the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act which would expand the definition of existing pre-tax medical accounts to allow for preventative health measures such as your children's sports registration fees, registering for triathlons or 5Ks, sports equipment, etc. Wouldn't getting a bill passed like this, not only help an individual employee, but an employee's family as well?

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 1:45pm
thnking.person wrote:

Would Katie Sweeney post her healthy snack mix recipe that can be kept in a purse or car? thanks!

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 1:53pm
Wellness Katie wrote:

The trail mix is a definite go-to snack. You can swap out another healthy cereal, nut, and/or dried fruit to make it your own!

HealthSmart Trail Mix
Ingredients:
5 cups cereal (Cinnamon Puffins)
2 cups nuts (unsalted pecans)
¾ cup unsalted pumpkin seeds (Pepitas)
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup dried cranberries
¾ c dark chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients and portion into ½ cup servings

Nutrition Information:
~ Calories 200; Carbs:17.6 grams; Protein: 9 grams; Fat: 12 grams; Fiber 4.5 grams

Recipe inspired by: Michele Powers-Farber, R.D. www.nutrientchef.com

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 4:14pm
The Kojo Nnamdi Show is produced by member-supported WAMU 88.5 in Washington DC.