When it comes to employee wellness programs, global employers must take a different approach to employees outside of the United States in order to reach those workers effectively, says Nick Malhomme, global vice president at Optum Health.

Unlike U.S. wellness programs, those in other countries have not yet reached maturity, and it takes time to develop those programs and increase awareness among both employers and employees. While U.S. wellness programs have been in use for about 10 years, they've only been implemented over the past two years in many other countries.

The health care systems in the United States and other countries are also different, which makes some global employers resistant to wellness programs, Malhomme adds. For instance, in France there is a high corporate tax rate, and because of that, French employers expect the government to cover health care costs. However, wellness programs are more than just a form of preventive health care, and it's important that those employers see the other benefits.