Program Description

2003 Koop Award Winner

Johnson & Johnson Health & Wellness

I.   Narrative description of Program:
Johnson & Johnson Health & Wellness integrates disability management, occupational health, employee assistance, work-life programs, wellness and fitness.  Its Vision is to optimize the health, well-being and productivity of Johnson & Johnson employees.  It is an outgrowth of Johnson & Johnson LIVE FOR LIFE®, which originated in 1979 and brought together experts in health education, behavioral change, and disease management to create a program to improve employee health and productivity.  The program underwent transformations in the past two decades to respond to changing business requirements and employee health needs.

The cornerstone of the enhanced Health & Wellness health promotion initiative is the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and Intervention Program.  More than 90% of eligible domestic employees chose to participate in the HRA, a dramatic increase from 26% participation in 1995. Participation increases correlated to an incentive of $500 in benefit credits. The program achieved savings of about $9-10 million per year primarily from reduced medical utilization ($3.96 million) and lower administrative expenses ($5.22 million).  

Based on an analysis of the impact of the integrated Health & Wellness Programs, a strategy was put in place in 2002 to link health promotion measurable outcomes and risk reduction goals and cost savings. We recently launched this new strategy, Healthy People 2005.

Healthy People 2005 focuses on: smoking/tobacco use, blood pressure, cholesterol and inactivity. Over the next two years, we will measure progress toward goals aligned with national Healthy People 2010 objectives. Other health indicators, including obesity and stress, are currently addressed and will have set targets in the next phase of implementation.  

*Based on Health Risk Appraisal Results 1995-99

As part of Healthy People 2005, Health & Wellness works collaboratively with management and employees providing resources and support to implement leading-edge programs.  The impact of achieving our Healthy People 2005 goals will result in an estimated cost avoidance of $7.5 million annually.  Productivity gains will also contribute to a positive bottom line.