Health programs are designed to improve and protect the health of communities by educating individuals, providing information and tools, and encouraging positive behaviors. These programs focus on a range of issues, including disease prevention; consumer, environmental and emotional health; safety and disaster preparedness; sexual health; nutrition and food safety; human growth and development; and public health advocacy and research.
The most effective public health programs are those that achieve and sustain substantial and often synergistic improvements in a specific risk factor or disease outcome. This involves innovation to develop the evidence base for action; a technical package of a limited number of high-priority interventions that are known to be effective; effective performance management through rigorous monitoring, evaluation and improvement activities; partnerships and coalitions with public- and private-sector organizations; communication of accurate and timely information to the health care community, decision makers, and the general public to promote behavior change and engage civil society; and political commitment to obtain resources and support for effective action. Programs such as smallpox eradication, tuberculosis control, and tobacco and polio control have made substantial progress by employing these strategies.
Workplace wellness programs can help employers lower costs by promoting healthy lifestyles and reducing chronic conditions. This includes making it easy to get routine screenings, such as blood tests and eye exams. They also encourage employees to take a more active role in their own health by providing education and digital tools.
Developing a culture of health at work takes time and effort from everyone involved, but it can make a big difference to employee wellbeing. This is particularly important in high-risk, cost-intensive industries such as healthcare. It’s not uncommon for an individual to have several health problems that can be costly to manage, and if not addressed early, these can spiral out of control.
The most efficient way to manage these complex issues is through data-driven clinical programs, which ensure that people with expensive or chronic conditions are getting the appropriate care at the right place and time. This can help to reduce downstream healthcare costs, such as emergency room visits and hospitalizations, while improving outcomes.