Although employers are relying on prevention-based employee health benefits to improve work force health and reduce health care costs, there's still an awareness gap that is affecting that strategy's success, according to a survey released today by Virgin HealthMiles.

In fact, 83 percent of respondents say they provide employee health and wellness benefits, and 81 percent of respondents report that cutting health care costs is a primary priority. But there's a gap between employers' perceptions of employee awareness and understanding of these benefits, and what employees say. 

According to the survey, more than half of employers say employees possess a good understanding of their available health and wellness benefits and how they can participate; however, only 41 percent of participating employees say they had a good awareness of these programs, and fewer than 50 percent say they know how to participate.