Workplace Wellness The health of American employees has taken a significant downward turn in recent years. A 2009 report published by the Families and Work Institute (FWI) found that only 28% of employees felt good about their overall health compared to 34% just six years ago. The correlation between an effective workplace and employee health, as well as the benefit of health insurance and wellness programs is evident. Among the findings, the report revealed: ● 41% of employees report experiencing three or more indicators of stress; ● One in three employees experiences one or more symptoms of clinical depression; ● One in five employees has trouble falling asleep and 31% awaken too early and have trouble falling back to sleep; ● 21% are receiving treatment for high blood pressure and 14% are being treated for high cholesterol. It was also found that 38% of employees in workplaces that fall into the high overall effectiveness category (based on six measurable criteria that include economic security, autonomy, work-life fit) report excellent overall health. By contrast, only 19% of employees in workplaces that fall into the low overall effectiveness category report excellent overall health. The FWI study is fully downloadable at Families and Work Institute. The Healthy Workforce Act of 2009 was instituted by Congress to provide a tax credit to employers for the costs of implementing wellness programs. In order to qualify for the credit, wellness program components should include: ● Health awareness; including the dissemination of health information addressing specific needs and health risks of employees and opportunities for periodic health screenings, and referrals for follow up measures. ● Engaging employees in worksite wellness programs, tracking employee participation and providing worksite assessments. ● A behavioral change component which provides for altering employee lifestyles by encouraging healthy living through counseling, seminars, on-line programs, or self-help materials related to obesity, stress management, physical fitness, nutrition, depression, tobacco use, mental health promotion and substance abuse. ● A supportive environment component containing participation incentives for each employee participating in health awareness and behavioral change components as well as employee input. To view the complete transcript and the type of credit available refer to http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.803: http://www.familiesandwork.orghttp://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.803shapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1