At a glance
- Workplace wellness programs have health, business, and economic benefits.
- CDC's Work@Health Program provides education, training, and technical assistance to employers so they can establish and maintain their own workplace wellness programs.
- Learn about Work@Health Program components including the CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard, training objectives, and requirements to enroll.
About the Work@Health Program
Promoting workplace wellness
CDC developed the Work@Health employer training program to promote workplace wellness.
CDC's Work@Health Program:
- Provides education, training, and technical assistance to employers so they can establish their own workplace wellness programs.
- Partners with trade associations, business coalitions, and health departments that support employer workplace wellness efforts.
Why it matters
Science-based workplace wellness programs can help prevent chronic diseases in workers. These diseases affect not only their health but also their quality of life and productivity. They also create high medical costs.
Workplace wellness programs benefit:
- U.S. workers by promoting healthy behaviors (like physical activity, health screenings, immunizations, and follow-up care) for improved health and quality of life.
- Employers by leading to greater worker productivity and lower health care and workers’ compensation costs.
- Based on 2019 data, chronic diseases and injuries in the workforce cost U.S. employers $575 billion dollars in lost productivity each year.1
- Based on 2019 data, chronic diseases and injuries in the workforce cost U.S. employers $575 billion dollars in lost productivity each year.1
- U.S. families by improving the health and well-being of U.S. workers, they are better able to contribute to their families and communities.
- U.S. economy by reducing overall medical costs.
- Chronic conditions (such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity) account for 86% of total U.S. medical costs.2
- Chronic conditions (such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity) account for 86% of total U.S. medical costs.2
Key components of the Work@Health Program
CDC's Work@Health Program has five key components:
- The Employer Core Training Program combines web-based and in-person training led by certified trainers.
- The Advance Technical Assistance Program is for employers who have completed the Core Training and want additional help. It offers one-on-one support, a customized technical assistance plan, and help with third-party accreditation or recognition.
- The Training and Technical Assistance Portal (TTAP) accompanies the Work@Health Technical Assistance program. Through this online portal, employers can access Work@Health tools, information, and technical assistance from top experts in the field. It also facilitates collaboration and learning about wellness best practices.
- The Train-the-Trainer Program certifies new trainers who will provide Employer Core Training to employers in their communities.
- The Master Trainer Program is for select certified trainers. It enables them to train other Train-the-Trainers or become technical assistance providers.
Work@Health employer training content
The employer training covers the following core workplace wellness topics:
- Why a workplace wellness program makes good business sense.
- How to assess the health needs of your workplace.
- How to plan, implement, and create an environment that supports health programs, policies, and practices.
- How to know if your workplace wellness program is working and how to improve its quality.
- How to develop and use partnerships, community links, and resources to support workplace wellness.
Employer requirements
To qualify for Work@Health training, an employer must:
- Be headquartered in the United States.
- Have at least 20 employees.
- Provide health insurance to its workers.
For more information and to learn how to get started, email workplacehealth@cdc.gov.
CDC's Online Worksite Health ScoreCard
CDC's Worksite Health ScoreCard is a tool that makes it easier for workplace health program managers to assess the overall health of their employees. It is used to plan strategies and interventions to improve their programs or introduce new programs, and evaluate workforce progress in key health areas. It includes questions on sleep and fatigue, cancer, alcohol and substance use, and musculoskeletal disorders.
CDC Work@Health Program: Instructor Training
Learn how to get involved with CDC's Work@Health Program.
CDC Work@Health Program: Train the Trainer
Find information about Work@Health certified training.
References
- Integrated Benefits Institute. Cost of poor health infographic (2019 data). Accessed July 29, 2024.
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Medical Expenditure Panel Survey of 2010. Accessed August 9, 2024.