kcredden
July 1st, 2008, 12:54 PM
(LifeWire) -- Three years ago, Danilo Reyes, a test engineer for Intel, received a $50 gift card from his employer to take a health-assessment test. Reyes figured that he'd pass the test with flying colors -- he doesn't smoke or drink -- and Intel made it easy by offering the free test at his office in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Rising health care costs are prompting firms to offer wellness programs for employees.
Rising health care costs are prompting firms to offer wellness programs for employees.
But when Reyes received the results, the diagnosis was a complete shock: His cholesterol and blood-sugar levels were abnormally high.
"It turned out I was a borderline diabetic and at high risk for a heart attack," says Reyes, 41. "I was terrified."
Motivated by his diagnosis, Reyes consulted his family doctor, who put him on medicine to lower his cholesterol. A health coach at Intel, part of the company's wellness program, helped by advising Reyes on joining a gym and eating better. Over time, Reyes says, he's seen tangible benefits and shed some excess pounds.
"Getting healthy even inspired me to start up a hobby," he says. "I take karate now, as well as going to the gym. I'm happy and healthy."
more here (http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/07/01/force.u.2b.healthy/index.html)
Debate?
Rising health care costs are prompting firms to offer wellness programs for employees.
Rising health care costs are prompting firms to offer wellness programs for employees.
But when Reyes received the results, the diagnosis was a complete shock: His cholesterol and blood-sugar levels were abnormally high.
"It turned out I was a borderline diabetic and at high risk for a heart attack," says Reyes, 41. "I was terrified."
Motivated by his diagnosis, Reyes consulted his family doctor, who put him on medicine to lower his cholesterol. A health coach at Intel, part of the company's wellness program, helped by advising Reyes on joining a gym and eating better. Over time, Reyes says, he's seen tangible benefits and shed some excess pounds.
"Getting healthy even inspired me to start up a hobby," he says. "I take karate now, as well as going to the gym. I'm happy and healthy."
more here (http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/07/01/force.u.2b.healthy/index.html)
Debate?