Welcome to Fitness Improvement Team Online!

In a changing world that places unprecedented pressures on American businesses to become smarter and more efficient, the business world needs new tools that will reduce healthcare costs, improve worker productivity and enhance the physical and emotional well-being of the men and women who drive America's economy. Proactive prevention provides that and more.

Research has shown that worksite-based prevention programs can save from 15 to 25 percent on healthcare expenses. And while the programs reduce medical claims, they also help people lead healthier lives. That means corporate leaders have every incentive to understand proactive prevention and to incorporate it into their respective companies. Healthy employees make for a healthy bottom line.

Regrettably, too few companies are doing it. Only three percent of America's healthcare dollars go toward prevention and about 97 percent is spent on injury and wellness care, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The dilemma with prevention is it's a long-term strategy. So, getting the corporate leaders to understand and put dollars into it over the long-term is difficult.

Poor lifestyle habits account for up to 70 percent of doctor visits and healthcare costs. It is more cost effective to prevent disease and disability than to treat it. Prevention and health-promotion have tremendous potential to reduce demand for services and thus reduce costs.

For many companies, medical costs can consume half of corporate profits - or more. Some employers look to cost sharing, cost shifting, manged care plans, risk rating and cash based rebates or incentives. but these methods merely shift costs. Only worksite health promotion stands out as the long-term answer for keeping employees well in the first place.

Present your company and its employees the ultimate benefit- good health!