Oklahoma Businesses Using Wellness Programs To Boost Productivity In The Workplace

Some Oklahoma businesses are finding ways to boost productivity by creating wellness programs in the workplace.

Health consultants say the wellness programs are a way to decrease health-related costs for employers, and so far, 45 Oklahoma businesses have signed up for the program.

The CDC launched 'Work at Health' in 2014 and the State Health Department began working with the CDC in 2019.

Employers send one or two representatives to the State Health Department for a free five-week training, where they learn the importance of having a wellness program and how to implement health policies and practices in the workplace.

Karin Leimbach is one of the certified health consultants. She says U.S. employers pay more than $225 billion every year for health-related problems.

Leimbach says research shows with this program, employers see benefits in the cost of chronic diseases dropping over three to five years.

"When we help them adopt those healthier lifestyles businesses can reduce cost by lowering the risk of chronic diseases or disabilities that negatively impact their job performance," said Leimbach.

Employers who want to join the program must provide health insurance and employ at least 20 people.