The executive level can sometimes feel like a bowl of alphabet soup. CEO, CIO, CFO, COO, etc. With so much concern over health care costs, employers such as St. Luke's Health System, headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., have added a chief wellness officer (CWO) to the upper management ranks. They aim to contain expenses by encouraging and promoting healthy and preventative lifestyles amongst the staff.

"As America's battle of the bulge continues and other health concerns grab headlines, it's no longer a secret that obesity, tobacco use and stress are the most common hazards to health in the American workforce. As high costs and low productivity are linked to these behaviors, corporations are going to give greater authority to executives in charge of these wellness programs," said Jack Bastable, national practice leader of health and productivity management for CBIZ Benefits & Insurance.

Working with CBIZ's Health and Productivity Management group, St. Luke's has structured a wellness program that that provides employers direction and accountability as they endeavor to address rising health costs.  

Employees spend the majority of their waking hours at the workplace. An employer has a unique opportunity to affect change in their workplace behavior through a wellness program, which decreases the organization's and the employees' health care expenditures, improves the lifestyle and health of employees, and increases productivity and morale. Wellness programs provide the opportunity to use health in a proactive matter instead of reactive, because behavioral changes can lead to a decrease in preventable diseases.

Adults with multiple risk factors for premature death and disease, such as tobacco use, poor dietary habits, high blood pressure and a sedentary lifestyle, are more likely to be high-cost employees in terms of health care expenditures, absenteeism and productivity. Healthy employees and dependents likely incur lower medical costs, have lower rates of absenteeism and higher productivity. Fortunately, many risk factors of premature death and disability are preventable with behavior modification.

"Managers in this new position will coach and motivate employees and employers on-site to welcome and initiate behavioral changes in order to help everyone achieve a more physically fit lifestyle and greater well-being," Bastable said. "The benefits for all, including the health care provider, are directly tied to the success of these wellness programs."

Bastable sees the CWO having specific responsibilities that can be performed at the executive level. The CWO has to coordinate communications between human resources and employees and promote participation in events such as screenings and workshops. If a medical question comes up, there has to be one visual person to whom employees can turn.

"In a way, organizations are realizing the true human capital of employees," said Bastable. "They are the only asset that appreciates; everything else depreciates. Maintaining their health carries enormous benefits."

Many companies choose to shift rising costs to the employee, raising premium payments. Organizations such as St. Luke's have explored cutting costs by decreasing utilization. The approach becomes a win-win, with healthier employees and reduced expenses, said Bastable.

"Employees are happier, and thus more productive," he said.

Mr. Boyle is assistant editor for ADVANCE for Health Information Executives.