WORKSITE WELLNESS
PROGRAMS
Case analysis of digital health communication
efforts in three university settings:
Tufts University, Brown University, and University of
Massachusetts, Lowell
Nicole Schultz
July 20, 2014
Outline
I.
The Worksite Wellness Trend
II.
Common Challenges in University Worksite Wellness
III. Case Studies
• Tufts University
• Brown University
• University of Massachusetts, Lowell
IV. Recommendations
Worksite Wellness
• Improve employee health to control health care costs
• Reduce burden of chronic disease
• Absenteeism & “Presenteeism”
• Offered by health plans, outside vendors, or employer
• Large variation in program components
• Overall, aim to help employees:
• Maintain healthy lifestyles
• Achieve work-life balance
• Cope with stress
• Boost morale and productivity
Common Challenges
• Lack of employee participation
• Expensive to implement
• Sustained behavior change
• Creating a culture of wellness
Tufts University Wellness
Goal:
To address and improve employees’ health and quality of
life while slowing down the rising cost of health care for
employee and employer
Target Audience: Faculty and Staff
Tufts University Wellness
Tufts University Wellness
Tufts University Wellness
Tufts University Wellness
Tufts University Wellness
Tufts University Wellness
Tufts: SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
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Clear contact information
eHealth portal user guide
Infrastructure to support program
Health and Wellness Advisory
Group (HWAG)
Inactive links
Webpage hard to navigate
No apparent use of social media
Lack of information
Opportunities
Threats
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Use of social media
Developing website
Organizational support
HWAG
Busy target audience
3 campuses
Funding
Resources
Recommendations
• Website improvements
• Ease of navigation
• Update and expand information about services and
programs
• Update links
• Link to social media
• Implement social media strategies
• Inform
• Connect
• Support
Brown University Wellness
Health Promotion Mission Statement
…to promote healthy lifestyles by educating, enhancing
awareness and encouraging positive behavioral changes for
all Brown University employees in the areas of health
education, exercise, nutrition, smoking cessation and stress
management.
Objective
Encourage employees to reduce their health risks and
improve their health and well-being both at home and on the
job
Target Audience: Faculty and Staff
Brown University Wellness
Brown University Wellness
Brown University Wellness Rewards
Brown University Wellness
Brown University Wellness
Brown University Wellness
Brown: SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
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• Dull colors
• Crowded layout
Facebook page
Private Google site
Program and FAQ documents
Easy navigation
Calendar of events
Updated blog
Opportunities
Threats
• Expand social media to Twitter and
other platforms
• Use of mobile application
• Funding
• Resources
• Sustained engagement
Recommendations
• Website improvements
• Colors
• Layout
• Add navigation to left panel
• Expand social media presence
• Consider additional platforms, such as Twitter
University of Massachusetts:
Lowell Wellness
Goals:
Preventing, tracking and remedying workplace hazards
and providing a workplace environment that promotes
overall health and wellbeing.
Vision:
Students, faculty and staff will collaborate to promote
healthy environments and personal health as part of our
campus culture of learning and working with purpose.
Target Audience: Faculty and Staff
UMass, Lowell Wellness
UMass, Lowell Wellness
UMass, Lowell Wellness
UMass, Lowell Wellness
UMass, Lowell Wellness
UMass, Lowell Wellness
UMass: SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
• Clear mission and goals
• Link to campus recreation site,
which uses Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, YouTube, and e-mail list
• Easy navigation
• Healthy Campus campaign
• Links to programs
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Opportunities
Threats
• Develop social media presence
• Expand Healthy Campus campaign
• Improve website
• Resources
• Funding
• Personnel
Lack of social media presence
Limited information
Inactive link
Dull appearance
Recommendations
• Website improvements
• More information
• Add color and pictures
• Social media
• Create separate Facebook page
General Recommendations
Low-cost initiatives
• Online information
• Ease of navigation (link from HR website)
• Wellness task force or committee
• Facebook and Twitter
Resource-intensive initiatives
• Online health portal
• Online fitness and health challenges (i.e. using FitBit)
• Hire vendor or organization to implement digital strategies
Thank you!
Questions?