Wellness for every workforce

What does wellness look like? Is it a busy executive trying to lower his or her cholesterol and shed a few pounds? A working mom joining a gym to keep up with her active lifestyle? In our industry, wellness used to be viewed as a luxury item reserved for people with the time and money to spend on their health. In fact, it is true that wellness benefits and programs are often reserved for individuals with major medical coverage — full-time, salaried employees with a full range of benefits.

But what about the working uninsured, those who don’t have access to comprehensive coverage through their employer or spouse? They are often hourly or part-time employees struggling to pay for the rising costs of gas and groceries — without the benefit of basic medical care. The working uninsured have more stress related to financial and family issues and have more risk of developing chronic health conditions. And yet this population is the least likely to have access to preventive measures that will keep them well, out of the hospital, and on the job.