Rewarding individuals for good health.   We’d like you to meet “John.” He’s a 34-year-old hardworking father of two. A marketing executive at a large company, he’s physically fit and is proud of his good health. At least once a day, he and his younger daughter take the family dog for a walk around the block, and every Sunday night he plays pick-up basketball at the high school gym. John enjoys good food but is careful to watch his weight. His father had a near-fatal heart attack at 57 and his older brother was diagnosed with pre-diabetes. With his family history, John is glad to be able to participate in on-site health fairs at his company and is faithful about getting his annual physical. Every year he goes to his doctor’s office prepared with the results of his online health risk assessment. Like many people his age, John takes an active part in managing his good health by being aware of current health trends and listening to practical advice.

John also is grateful for his company’s free 24-hour nurse line. Just last week he had to call because his daughter had an allergic reaction to peanuts. This saved him a trip to the emergency room at two o’clock in the morning.

At Cardium Health, John is at the point in the healthcare continuum that we refer to as Healthy Living. People at this stage are health conscious. They are educated healthcare consumers and have lifestyle behaviors that allow them to stay fit, manage stress and self-advocate for their personal health.

More and more employers are offering healthcare benefit plans that encourage and reward individuals for Healthy Living. Wellness and lifestyle services often include initiatives such as health risk assessments, on-site screenings, health decision support tools, preventive care reminders, health club memberships, and financial incentives. By promoting Healthy Living behaviors, employers can reduce overall healthcare costs and absenteeism as well as support a culture of health and wellness.