With 2016 in the rearview mirror, what will this year hold for population health management programs? Judging by our conversations with employers and consultants alike, we see three themes emerging.
Total well-being
Employers will continue to expand the concept of wellness beyond just physical health. Total well-being encompasses the full range of wellness, including physical, mental, social and financial health. Indeed, a major technology company recently told us that mindfulness, positivity and creativity are its foremost initiatives this year.
This reflects a different way of thinking about health by focusing on what is of value to the employee, such as happiness, life satisfaction, caring for family, contributing to the community and preserving the environment.
Examples of total well-being:
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Mindfulness can be described very simply as the state of being in the moment. Practicing mindfulness can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, while helping to improve sleeping and eating habits.
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Positivity involves promoting optimism and a grateful attitude which can be facilitated through stress management and mindfulness programs.
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Creativity is a basic human need according to research. Finding ways to stimulate creativity will be a priority this year. While not every job offers significant opportunities for innovation and creativity, employers should allow employees as much control as possible over how to get their jobs done, while continually encouraging new ideas and enthusiasm.
Helping employees connect to a sense of purpose or being a part of something greater than oneself will also drive greater engagement and sense of community.
Big data
By integrating multiple data sources and applying sophisticated analytics, employers will increasingly be able to identify risk factors that are predictors for chronic disease, better understand disease progression and assess geographic and social determinants of health. Leveraging this data will enable insights for targeted strategy and program recommendations.
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