Study: Wellness Program Enrollment Varies by Industry

By Theresa Sangram Wellness

Gordian Health Solutions, Inc. has revealed the results of a national study showing the variance of enrollment rates in wellness and health coaching programs by industry sectors. At the top of the list were health care and social assistance segments. Gordian is a leading personal health coaching company offering health coaching, self-health, and healthy workplace products to employers, health plan corporations, and government entities representing more than 2.3 million individuals across the country.

The study examined enrollment rates in Gordian’s programs over two years by investigating nearly 1.3 million employees at more than 125 organizations and businesses. The study showed industry-specific enrollment rates relative to the study population average.

“The study results show a significant difference in the rate of health coaching engagement by industry sector. One takeaway is that organizations considering implementing or revamping a wellness initiative should look at best practices within their respective industry sector to see what worked and what didn’t work,” said Adam Long, Ph.D., vice president of research and informatics for Gordian.

The following is the full listing of industry sectors included in the study. Their rates of enrollment, relative to the average enrollment rate, are listed from highest to lowest:

Healthcare and Social Assistance: 157% of the average
Food Manufacturing: 151%
Other Manufacturing: 104%
Professional/Scientific/Technical: 97%
Finance and Insurance: 92%
Retail Trade: 62%
Educational Services: 60%
Information: 47%
Construction: 44%
Utilities: 22%

Pedometer Paul Russell, president of Health Performance Resources (HPR), said, “Many factors are at play in determining the rate of enrollment, from program design and content delivery, to incentive structure. This study’s results emphasize that wellness initiatives should be designed with industry sector and participant preferences in mind.”

The success of any health promotion program and the return on investment it creates for an organization will be driven by the organization’s ability to promote high levels of participation in intensive health programming.

Source: Gordian Health Solutions, Inc. Press Release

Like the new format? Tell us what you think: askaia@matherlifeways.com