01 09 10 Tweet Dietitians Eat Chocolate Too: Wellness Programs Won’t Necessarily Improve Health Or Lower Costs

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Wellness Programs Won’t Necessarily Improve Health Or Lower Costs

Well, in between attempting to figure out the mysterious HDTV setup on my lovely Samsung, I figured I'd delve into one of my favorite projects which would be wellness programs.

The WSJ's Health Blog brought this touchy subject into light in regards to health care in America.  Of course we'd save oodles of money if we all lost weight, ate better and stressed less.  Less weight=less meds.  Fewer illness=less $$ spent on treating lifestyle related diseases.

But if your employer's health plan basically says "we'll give you a discount at Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, NutriSystem if you make these changes" is that really an incentive?  Sure a lower rate or better coverage for healthy people sounds great but if you don't believe in the change you wish to make you're no better than a fraternity at wing night.