More than two million Canadians and 20.8 million Americans have diabetes. That number is expected to double over the next 10-15 years, creating huge costs for society and employers. Employees who have diabetes incur health-care expenses that are two to three times higher than those without diabetes. Estimates for the cost of medication and supplies alone range from $ 1,000 to $ 15,000 a year.

Wellness Factors' Stop Diabetes program is designed to help employees and their families avoid diabetes by promoting lifestyle choices that limit or reduce their susceptibility to its main risk factors: physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stress. Since most people spend the majority of their day at their work site, employers have a unique opportunity to provide diabetes preventative education and support. Research shows employers of all sizes experience significant benefits when they take the initiative to prevent diabetes among employees.

The Stop Diabetes program begins with a campaign to garner maximum employee participation. Activities include on-site measuring and tracking of glucose levels and lifestyle education to prevent diabetes.

Wellness Factors' Wellness Director will work with the employer from start to full implementation of the corporate program over the following stages:

  • Launching the awareness campaign
  • Receiving and installing the wall posters and booklets stands
  • Scheduling guest speakers to conduct lunch & learns
  • Mailing a copy of the Stop Diabetes program to employees' homes (optional)
  • Designating and training an employee to do blood-glucose testing, receive a blood-glucose monitor, and allocate two hours per week for testing 500 people
  • Training employees to enter glucose readings into the confidential Health Tracker
  • Identifying employees who are at risk of diabetes or displaying symptoms of diabetes
  • Encouraging employees who are at risk of diabetes or displaying symptoms of diabetes to visit a health-care professional, work with a health coach in making appropriate lifestyle changes, and engage in consistent self-care using the tools and resources on their corporate health portal
  • Identifying wellness program return on investment through Web-based aggregate reporting
  • Coaching on how to access and benefit from the comprehensive education on diabetes and self-care provided in Wellness Factors' portal