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Press release distributed in partnership with ... 
Motivate Employee Health Awareness and Responsibility with Online Communications and Tools, Advises Hummingbird Coaching Services
New white paper explores why wellness programs often fail to meet goals and delivers stinging indictment of corporate health initiatives.
Cincinnati (PRWEB) November 16, 2007 -- The Holy Grail for corporate wellness programs is encouraging employees to take responsibility of their own health. And yet recent studies indicate while most are willing, a high percentage of employees don’t know how – an ideal opportunity for wellness coaches. The question remains, why are health coaching programs failing?
In a new white paper, Hummingbird Coaching Services explores why wellness programs often don’t meet their goals – encouraging consumer health and helping organizations better control spiraling health care costs. "Why Health Coaching Programs Fail," documented by veteran health care management consultant Walter Elias, is available for download at http://www.myhealthcoach.com/default.aspx?tabid=8038.
The paper cites a survey of more than 39,000 employees by human resource consultants Hewitt Associates, with results that deliver a stinging indictment of corporate health initiatives:
| | - While 93 percent say they are comfortable taking responsibility for their health care decisions, most struggle with how to do so.
- Eighty percent don’t estimate their annual health care expenses or believe they can personally take action to help control costs.
- Half have never researched provider costs or quality; one quarter have never asked about prescription drug options.
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Further, less than half say they do a great job of taking preventive measures; getting screened or having immunizations, and those in the poorest health are the least likely to do so.
"This is a real reflection of the failure of corporate health initiatives," said Sean Slovenski, chief executive officer of Hummingbird. "If organizations’ wellness programs were effective, we would see survey results showing the exact opposite of the Hewitt study."
Slovenski added that ironically many companies are already offering targeted information in the study areas. Hewitt experts recommend leveraging all communications channels, including face-to-face meetings, print and online communications to deliver a clear, consistent message on consumer health behavior.
To enhance corporate wellness program effectiveness, Hummingbird recommends the following:
| | - Consider individual coaching about personal health and risk factors, which may be "critical component for an effective worksite health promotion program," according to the CDC;
- Leverage the proliferation of online communications
- Web portals
- Email
- Instant messaging/text messaging
- Online message boards, journals, blogs, etc.
- Ensure health plan information is accurately explained on corporate intranets to support wellness coaching tactics and goals, explain costs, available services, etc.
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About Hummingbird Coaching Services
Cincinnati-based Hummingbird Coaching Services is a pioneer in health coaching since 1997. Hummingbird provides comprehensive workplace wellness programs that impact employee health and productivity. Using its proprietary coaching model and online delivery platform, Hummingbird provides coaching services to businesses such as Motorola, United Healthcare, Leeza Gibbons Inc., and the Muhammad Ali Center. Through its innovative technology platform and coaching programs, Hummingbird provides health, parenting and life coaching to drive real behavior change in individuals and help employers lower healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.hummingbirdcoaching.com.
Contact:
Sean Slovenski
Hummingbird Coaching
Sean.Slovenski(a)hummingbirdcoaching.com
877-240-4588
Colleen Harris
harrischh(a)roadrunner.com
877-240-4588
This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above.
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