Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
9 <br />WELLNESS ACTIVITIES 2012 -2013 <br />Research has shown that every dollar spent on wellness activities generates at least $3 in <br />return. Fewer sick days, increased productivity, and greater ability to deal with stress are all <br />common results of wellness programs. A healthier workforce results in greater productivity and <br />employee satisfaction as well as lower health insurance costs. <br />Investing in preventive screenings for high blood pressure and cholesterol can reduce health <br />care costs. Employees have shown their willingness to engage in healthy, or healthier, activities <br />to keep health insurance benefits at current levels and minimize both their costs and County <br />costs. United Healthcare funds onsite biometric screenings, employee newsletters, payroll <br />stuffers and promotional posters. The United Healthcare SimplyEngaged® programs offer <br />employees incentives in the form of gift cards for completing an online health assessment, and <br />for participating in both online and telephone health counseling. <br />Highly discounted membership rates for the Orange County SportsPlex continue to be a popular <br />wellness benefit for employees. Currently 212 employees are members, a 2% increase over <br />2012's membership of 208. <br />Below is a list of wellness activities and programs between October 2012 and August 2013. <br />1. Flu Clinics <br />The Human Resources Department again partnered with the Health Department to <br />provide two flu clinics in 2012. The immunizations are no cost to employees as part of <br />their preventive health benefit. 225 employees were immunized at the 2012 Flu Clinics, <br />a 41 % increase over 2011. Flu Clinics will be held in October 2013, one in Chapel Hill <br />and one in Hillsborough. <br />2. Biometrics Screenings, Health Assessment and Health Coaching <br />United Healthcare sponsored biometric screenings in February 2013, and 224 <br />employees learned their numbers related to blood pressure, blood glucose, and <br />cholesterol. 457 employees, retirees and their spouses /domestic partners completed <br />the online health assessment between January 1 and July 31, 2013. Access to the <br />health assessment will continue whether fully- funded or self- insured. <br />After completing the health assessment, employees were able to enroll in one or more <br />online health coaching programs related to exercise, stress, weight loss, tobacco <br />cessation and others. <br />3. SportsPlex Membership <br />Employees are reminded annually about the Orange County SportsPlex discount, and <br />periodic postings are placed on the employee intranet home page. New employees are <br />informed about the discount at employee orientation, and the SportsPlex rates and <br />schedules are on the County's Wellness Web page. Representatives attend the <br />Employee Wellness Lunch (below), assist with National Nutrition Month activities and <br />provide occasional onsite classes. <br />A -7 <br />