A client of ours at HealthFitness, the University of Louisville, is an example of well-doing in action. Realizing that health is more than simply the absence of disease, UofL adopted a view of health with a whole-person orientation.

UofL actively works to create a culture of health through its "Get Healthy Now" program, which started in 2005. With a 74 percent participation rate, the program is working to engage participants in healthy programming and activities including:

  • Health coaching for all participants, regardless of whether they are at low, medium or high risk

  • Bike share, team biking initiatives and a bicycle commuting group (University President Ramsey bikes to work on occasion)

  • Caregiving workshops (including legal, financial and social)

  • Smoke-free campus and free smoking cessation classes

  • Mindfulness, yoga and relaxation classes through the wellness center

  • Community partnership with the American Heart Association for support groups, and disease management partnerships with the Greater Louisville YMCA and the University of Louisville Hospital

A 2012–13 return on investment analysis for the "Get Healthy Now" program found the university's initiative returned a benefit cost ratio of 7.16 to 1 after four years. Program participants saw an average claims savings of $1,300; an estimated $4.3 million in reduced claims spending.

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In 2013, the UofL used the cost savings to fund a "living wage" goal that increased the minimum salary for employees to $11 per hour—sharing in the wealth of good health and supporting financial well-being for a segment of their workforce.

A veteran of health education and health management product development, Tanja Madsen is director of product management for HealthFitness.

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