HealthFitness CEO Supports Move Toward Cultural Shift, and Science-Based Health Management P...( MINNEAPOLIS Sept. 6 /- Two new is...),Health

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Two new issue briefs from HealthFitness (OTC Bulletin Board: HFIT) underscore how health management programs are evolving into employer partners to create a culture of health.

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"Corporate America Embraces New Culture of Health" features HealthFitness CEO Gregg O. Lehman's discussion of this emerging phenomenon: a proactive vision for corporations to address the high cost of health care in a global marketplace. Lehman is a well-known 20-year veteran of the health management industry, and previously served as CEO of the National Business Coalition of Health.

Health care cost increases have become a significant part of the "structural cost" of doing business in the United States, and a major barrier to global competitiveness. Organizations which cut benefits or increase the employee burden for health care costs will dull their own competitive edge by losing or alienating employees. Employers who wish to increase productivity and bring new products or services to market must attract and retain valuable employees. A culture of health can address cost concerns in the here and now and is the first step toward lowering both direct and indirect health care costs.

"A corporate culture of health positively addresses the underlying factors fueling health care costs: high health risks and chronic disease," Lehman said. In practice, it includes elements of corporate identity and is included in corporate mission and goals. It begins with senior management actively supporting, representing, and participating in healthy workforce initiatives. A culture of health integrates health management programs into the overall employee benefit suite, including workers compensation, disability and health benefits. It manifests itself among employees with annual health risk assessments and b
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