As wellness program managers it is important to fully understand common (and not so common) wellness jargon. Understanding these terms can help you run a compliant and effective program. We’ve compiled a list of important terms that can help you brush up on your wellness term knowledge.
1. Sitting Disease
A buzzword for “sedentary lifestyle” where the majority of a person’s day is made-up of sitting in the car, office, then couch. Growing research shows that long periods of physical inactivity raises the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Also important to know is that “several studies have shown that men and women who sit for long periods of time – even those who routinely exercise – are more likely to develop chronic health conditions.” Medline Plus 11/30/12.
2. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL)
A broad concept that measures physical, emotional, social, financial and workplace factors that influence employees’ overall well being. The CDC states this can be a more powerful tool in predicting mortality and morbidity than many objective health measures.
3. Overweight
A person who has a BMI of 25-29.9 is considered overweight. BMI is not always the best measurement tool so the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute guidelines recommend looking at two other predictors: The person’s waist circumference, and other risk factors like high blood pressure or physical inactivity.
4. Obese
A person who has too much body fat, or weighs around 20% or more above normal weight (BMI of 30 or greater). Being at this weight may have negative effects on health, leading to reduced QOL. There is also an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancers. Around 35.9% of U.S. adults are obese. (CDC 2009-2010)
5. Morbid Obesity
A person who is more than 100 pounds over normal weight and has a BMI of 40 or greater.
6. Hypertension
A term used to describe high blood pressure, (140/90 mmHg.) which may eventually lead to health problems like heart disease, heart attack and stroke. More than 1 in 3 adults worldwide have high blood pressure. Often times there are no symptoms associated with hypertension, so it is important to include routine blood pressure checks as well as yearly physicals. A healthy lifestyle is key in both preventing and treating hypertension.
7. Participatory Wellness Programs
A program that does not provide a reward, provides rewards for things anyone can do regardless of health, or does not include any conditions for obtaining a reward based on health factors. Example: Program reimburses employees for all or part of the cost of a membership in a fitness center (regardless of gym use).
8. Health-Contingent Wellness Programs
Requires an individual to perform or complete an activity related to a health factor in order to obtain a reward. It’s subdivided into two categories, activity-only wellness programs and outcome-based wellness programs.
9. Activity-only
Requires an individual to perform or complete an activity related to a health factor in order to obtain a reward. Does NOT require an individual to attain or maintain a specific health outcome. Example:Walking program that required 5000 steps per day.
10. Outcome-based
Requires an individual to attain or maintain a specific health outcome in order to obtain the reward. Generally these programs include: a form of measurement, test or screening as part of the initial standard, and a larger program that provides additional wellness activities to target individuals who do not meet the initial standard. Example: BMI screening that requires achievement of a certain level.
11. Permissible Benign discrimination
The laws governing wellness programs allow for discrimination against healthy employees in wellness programs, but not unhealthy employees. This allows you to establish more favorable rules for eligibility or premium rates for individuals with adverse health factors.
12. Aggregate Report
Any report that includes the sum of all the individuals’ data in a single corporation. Often used in activity based wellness programs to summarize member’s activity or Biometric data.
13. Ad hoc Report
A report that meets individual information requirements and can be dynamically modified.
14. Flextime policies
A policy that allows employees’ to have more flexibility in choosing their work hours (i.e. coming in earlier/later/taking a different lunch hour). Using this policy in a wellness program allows employees more opportunities to get to the gym, take a walk, practice yoga, or participate in other health enhancing options while still maintaining their set hours at work.
15. Presenteeism
The measurable productivity losses that can occur when employees come into work but are struggling with an illness, health condition, family crises or financial turmoil.
16. Hyperbolic discounting
A behavioral economics approach that shows when individuals are given two similar rewards they will show a preference for the one that arrives sooner rather than later. Can be applied to wellness program incentives, giving your employees something in return for their participation in the near future rather than at a later time.
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