A new survey by Buck Consultants shows that while wellness programs are still most popular in North America, they are becoming more prevalent globally. Eighty-two percent of employers in North America offer wellness programs, compared with 40 percent of employers surveyed in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Technology is the fastest-growing component of global wellness programs, according to the survey, including Web portals, online programs and personal health records. Incentives have increased 45 percent since last year, with U.S. respondents spending an average $145 per employee each year. Only 19 percent of respondents say their incentive programs are effective, a slight increase from 16 percent last year.

The biggest goal of wellness programs in the United States is to reduce the cost of health care. In Europe the main goal of wellness programs is improving morale, while companies in Asia and Africa cited reducing employee absences as their main priority. Canadian employers use wellness programs in hopes of improving productivity.