This white paper, based on a webinar presented by Dr. Ron Goetzel of Emory University and Thomson Reuters, discusses the cost of health and productivity-related expenditures that employers face, the role obesity plays in creating or exacerbating these conditions, and employer strategies for how to offer the best support for obese and overweight employees.

This white paper, based on a webinar presented by Dr. Ron Goetzel of Emory University and Thomson Reuters, discusses the cost of health and productivity-related expenditures that employers face, the role obesity plays in creating or exacerbating these conditions, and employer strategies for how to offer the best support for obese and overweight employees.

In a day when 47% of adults use social media, 85% own cell phones, and 72% use their phones to send and receive text messages, the new frontier for driving engagement in behavior change programs may be mobile technology and social media. Based on the webinar presented by Dr. Lorien Abroms, this white paper discusses new technologies for tobacco cessation: what they are, how they work, and the evidence that supports them.

Tobacco cessation is the most cost-effective benefit you can offer your adult employees, but only if it generates positive outcomes. This white paper, based on the presentation given by special guest speakers Dr. Steven A. Schroeder and Dr. John R. Hughes, addresses the unique challenges of nicotine addiction, the tools necessary to successfully overcome it, and what to look for when choosing a specialized tobacco cessation program for your organization.

From increasing media attention on weight-loss surgery to Michelle Obama's crusade against childhood obesity, 2010 saw a lot of change. This white paper, based on a presentation given by Ted Kyle and Dr. Jennifer Lovejoy, presents this year's most important news stories on obesity, identifies the social and political trends that are instigating change on a public health and individual level, and offer suggestions for employers who want to know how to prepare for such changes in 2011.

In 2010, at least one-third of employers plan to offer a reward or penalty to encourage employees to reduce their BMI. Yet weight bias is prevalent in the workplace even before incentives for BMI reduction are introduced. This white paper, derived from a presentation given by Dr. Rebecca Puhl and Dr. Jennifer Lovejoy, discusses weight bias, reviews well-known examples of employers who offer incentives tied to BMI, and offers practical strategies to promote a supportive worksite environment.

Epidemiological studies have shown that 75 to 85 percent of all cancers are caused by environmental exposures, and of those, lifestyle-related factors are the most important and preventable. This white paper, derived from a presentation given by the American Cancer Society's Thomas J. Glynn, PhD, discusses the modern lifestyle and its relationship to cancer, as well as the practical strategies that individuals and employers can use to adopt and promote healthier behaviors.

For decades, tobacco has been known as the number one cause of preventable death and disease. Now, obesity is becoming an equal contributor to the burden of morbidity and mortality. This white paper discusses the parallels of these two epidemics, the potential crossovers in prevention tactics, and the ways that subsidized, comprehensive programs can help address the issue at the heart of both epidemics.

Many of Alere Wellbeing's clients have found that implementing premium differentials and surcharges is a powerful tobacco cessation strategy. The following brief illustrates best practices for launching a premium-based initiative that has intuitive appeal, sends a positive and decisive message about the importance of quitting tobacco use, is an excellent vehicle for financing a tobacco cessation program, and is a long-term solution that provides measurable outcomes.

Today’s environment makes it extremely easy to neglect physical activity. Labor-saving technology, long commutes by car or bus, and hours spent on the computer for both work and play drain us of energy and make it even harder to find time in our busy schedules to get up and move. This white paper presents practical strategies for increasing physical activity in the workplace and decreasing employer spend on health care and productivity losses.

Helping your workforce to increase their daily physical activity will not only improve their health, but also their concentration and productivity. This Worksite Walkability Tool will walk you through questions that will help you determine the safety, ease, and ambience of areas surrounding your worksite that can contribute to whether your employees feel comfortable and safe walking to and from your building.

This Healthy Worksite Check-Up Tool will walk you through six areas of worksite health: Health Promotions, Tobacco Use, Food, Physical Activity, Stress and Corporate Culture. Use this tool to evaluate the depth and breadth of the initiatives your organization already has in place, and to help you identify the areas that may need improvement.

Providing an environment that teaches, promotes and supports healthy behaviors is one of the best things you can to to increase energy and productivity among your employees. This thought starter offers expert advice on how to conduct a healthy worksite evaluation, which can help you to appraise your current worksite environment. Feel free to utilize our Healthy Worksite Check-Up Tool, also found here in the Clear Insights White Paper section.

As an employer who offers health coverage to your employees, it is in your best interest to offer support in the identification and prevention of disease and disability. This thought starter presents expert advice on how to offer onsite health screenings and providing health and safety education to your employees so you can provide them with the knowledge they need to prevent injuries and worsening health conditions or finally make that call to see the doctor.

This Clear Insights paper from Alere Wellbeing will show you practical strategies for improving your organization’s stress environment, so you can help your employees reduce their stress and be the healthiest they can be.

One of the easiest things you can do to improve nutrition is to increase your daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, it is often difficult for people to access fresh produce, especially during the workday and in urban environments. This thought starter offers expert advice on how to host an onsite farmer’s market at your organization, so you can build employee awareness of the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables and increase employee access to fresh produce.

Whether it's the festive mood or pressure from family and friends, people often eat more than they intend to over the holidays; as coworkers celebrate with each other and share favorite recipes, the workplace can become full of delicious pitfalls. This thought starter offers expert advice on how to support your employees during the holidays by providing them with an environment that promotes healthy options for holiday parties and gatherings.

Many people do not take the time to plan for and prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals during the week; therefore many of your employees find themselves eating out each day at lunchtime. If your organization offers a cafeteria to employees, you have the opportunity to encourage and support them in healthy food decisions every day. This thought starter offers expert advice on how to develop cafeteria guidelines to ensure that your staff has easy access to healthy food.

Providing food for meetings and catered events is a thoughtful way to boost morale for your employees, vendors and clients, yet many times the food that is offered is unhealthy, energy-draining and often the only choice for meeting attendees who would otherwise make healthier choices. This thought starter offers expert advice on how to promote healthy meetings an events by providing nutritious alternatives to the traditionally high-calorie catered fare.

Today’s environment makes it difficult for your employees to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Investing in a healthy worksite environment and implementing strategies that encourage your employees to engage in healthy behaviors will allow you to improve the overall health and productivity of your workforce -- and improve your bottom line. Read this white paper for best practices from Alere Wellbeing.

Despite a $40 billion weight-loss industry, present attempts to curb the obesity epidemic have been unsuccessful. The "solutions," mostly popular diets or unproven over-the-counter dietary supplements, are focused on short-term weight loss goals rather than life-long health. This white paper illustrates how a combination of a comprehensive, long-term weight management program and a healthy worksite environment can prepare individuals for a lifetime of healthy behaviors.

Alere Wellbeing has found that employers successfully increase participation in wellness programs when they reward healthy behaviors throughout the course of the program rather than focusing on the end result. By implementing an approach that includes a comprehensive program supported by a positive environment, led by a team that anticipates the future, you will find that offering incentives can promote positive behavior change, positively impact your bottom line and improve employee relations.

Evidence has shown that smoke-free policies not only clear the air of secondhand smoke harmful to all employees, but are also associated with reduced daily cigarette consumption and possibly with increased tobacco cessation among smokers. This white paper provides a step-by-step guide on how to successfully implement a smoke-free initiative.