PowerPoint Presentation

Vitality Institute Commission ForumBusiness for Health: Fostering Healthy Workplaces

The Vitality Institute's mission is to advance knowledge about the evolving science and art of prevention and health promotion in order to build healthier societies.William Rosenzweig, Commission ChairJanuary 7, 2014 | Denver, Colorado

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The US performs poorly in health

Average body mass index in 17 peer countriesSource: National Research Council and Institute of Medicine Report: U.S. Health in International Perspective: Shorter Lives, Poorer Health (2013)And places low on health rankings

Source: Human Capital Report 2013 published by Mercer and the World Economic ForumUS Ranks 43rd in HealthBUT the best health is possible and desirableStateObesity(% of Adult Population)Colorado20.5Lowest RankingMassachusetts22.9Hawaii23.6Arkansas34.5Highest RankingMississippi34.6Louisiana34.7Source: Americas Health Ranking Report 2013Death by Zip Code: Obesity States Taking vs. Not Taking Medicaid ExpansionSource: Pomeranz, J., 2013. Local organizations should promote health

Source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington (2011)Obesity by CountyAnd employers should encourage efforts to improve health

Sufficient Physical Activity by CountySource: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington (2011)The Vitality Institute Commission on Health Promotion and the Prevention of Chronic Disease in Working Age AmericansAim: Place the power of evidence-based prevention at the center of health care policies and actions in the US. Application of Findings Globally: Plans to apply findings and recommendations to other markets in 2014.Commission Forum Series: Hosting a series of Commission Forums across the US in 2013 & 2014 to convene leaders in key topic areas and to provide input into the Commission. Commissioners, Experts and ObserversCommissioners

Commission ExpertsCommission Observers

Initial Commission Findings Global burden of disease data analysis demonstrates:Minimizing high disease risks in working age adults can improve the effectiveness of workplace health programs.Largest medical cost savings are associated with reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Disease prevention and health promotion are undervalued across the board:NIH spends 2% on funding towards preventing chronic diseases.Health-contingent programs reasonable design may undermine efficacy if not appropriately implemented.Health promotion is often unaddressed in law and public policy education. Emerging Commission RecommendationsLook to the Evidence: Promoting health creates wealthFederal funding towards health promotion should be amplified to build the prevention evidence baseTechnological health innovations combined with behavioral economic approaches will encourage new ways of thinkingOrganizations should encourage healthy behaviors to increase business productivity and intellectual leadership Health promotion and prevention policies should be amplified and aligned through effective legislationAgriculture, education and urban design sectors can be activated to accelerate the positive impacts of health promotion and preventionBusiness for Health: Fostering Healthy Workplaces Denver, Colorado | January 7, 2014Session FormatPanel Discussion 1: Why do we need healthy workplaces? How can we help businesses create healthy workforces?Panel Discussion 2: Do workplace health programs work? How can they more effectively engage communities? Commission Recommendations Todays ObjectivesConvene leaders and experts to further establish an organized voice for prevention Provide input into findings and recommendations of the Commission