Evaluation Summary

The strategic plan for wellness, adopted by Steelcase in early 1983, recommended a 10-year study of the results of the program. Risk reduction and health improvements were to be the direct outcome measures. Absenteeism and health care costs were also tracked and evaluated. An integrated Wellness Management System was established to track the data, determine risk-cost relationships, track change in-cost related to change-in-risk, and calculate an Employee Medical Cost Index. Health risk data, including clinical screening and high risk follow-up, are collected every three years. Personnel, medical plan selection, and absenteeism data are provided by Steelcase; health care utilization and costs are obtained from the indemnity carrier and program participation data are provided by the Wellness and Disability Department at Steelcase.

The results of phase one (1985- 1987) and phase two (1988 - 1991) established the high-risk, high-cost relationship for 14 risk factors (AHP, 1991), established the high-risk, high-absenteeism relationship (JOM, 1992), and described the high-cost employees (JOM, 1994). The results of this study, as described in the January 1994 press release answers positively the most important question facing the wellness (health promotion) movement, "Will cost reduction follow risk reduction?"