Mayo Clinic's Wellness Programming a Hit with Production Workers

Thursday, November 21, 2002

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A new case study by Mayo Clinic Health Management Resources demonstrates the success of reaching production workers in a traditional manufacturing plant environment through Web-based health and wellness programs. The case study shows how Adolph Coors Company is leading the way in moving employee benefit services online in a traditional manufacturing environment.

"Coors has always made health and wellness a priority. That's nothing new," said Neil Sullivan, implementation manager for Mayo Clinic Health Management Resources. "What's new is the Web-based application. Coors has taken on classic manufacturing industry barriers, such as accessibility to computers and the nature of their work environment, and is overcoming them."

The case study demonstrates how Coors met the challenges of a manufacturing environment. It explains how employee surveys about home access and usage, combined with a carefully developed launch plan that used a variety of communication tools, overcame the obstacle of implementing a high-tech tool in a production-oriented company.

For example, one of the first hurdles was the misconception that production workers would be resistant or unskilled. However, more than 85 percent of the 5,000 employees at Coors reported proficiency in computer skills and accessibility at work, at home or both.

The case study describes the development of a custom online health management resource for employees, how Coors built a loyal user base and encouraged employees to use an online health screening, called Checkpoint 2002.

The results of the health screening were then used to drive Coors' wellness programming. Each participant received an online Personal Health Report immediately upon completing the risk assessment. Participants concerned about health risks were then encouraged to join targeted health programs and group counseling sessions. Individual employee data was not identifiable without the employee's consent. However, many participants elected to be contacted for high-risk intervention. The case study explains why.

Statistics show that about 20 percent of a company's population may account for 80 percent of health care costs. By helping high-risk employees improve their health, Coors hopes to eventually reduce absenteeism and improve on-the-job productivity. The case study features the stories of two employees who lowered their health risk as a result of the online health assessment.

Colleen Reilly Perkins, supervisor of the corporate wellness center at Coors said the custom Mayo Web site made their ability to track and evaluate so much easier. "The site has enabled us to actually use data to make changes and make differences. When we try to prove how important we are to senior management, we've got the numbers to prove it," said Reilly.

"Mayo's online program aligns with our corporate philosophy of providing employees the resources to be healthy and productive, while simultaneously providing the staff with data and results that help contain corporate overhead," said Mara Swan, vice president of human resources.

Organizations interested in obtaining a complimentary copy of this case study may send an e-mail to mayoclinicHMR@mayo.edu.

Mayo Clinic Health Management Resources works with employers and member organizations throughout the U.S. in providing population health management tools including customized health newsletters, self-care books, Web sites, health risk assessments and telephonic health programs. Companies interested in more information about Mayo Clinic Health Management Resources may call 800-430-9699 or visit www.MayoClinicHMR.org.

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Carol Lammers
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511(evenings)
email:newsbureau@mayo.edu

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