Healthy Living Initiatives
- Employee Fred Conforti is an enthusiastic participant in Abbott's
integrated employee well-being program, LiveLifeWell. Some 65 percent of
Abbott's workforce also participates. The program gives employees online health
assessments, access to a health coach and a myriad of resources for healthier
living.
- Exercise is an important part of the LiveLifeWell program. Along with
regular workouts at the gym, employee Becky Liebau also finds time to exercise
with her family, sledding at a park near her home.
LiveLifeWell
In 2008, we expanded the resources offered under LiveLifeWell, our
integrated wellness program that ensures employees have the awareness,
motivation and resources to adopt healthier lifestyles and minimize their
health risks. Some 65 percent of Abbott's U.S. employees are participating in
this program, which include an online health assessment and access to a health
coach, as well as counseling and assistance with nutrition and exercise. It
also offers awareness-raising promotions, on-site screenings and immunizations,
and programs that encourage healthy eating habits and a more active
lifestyle.
Studies show that money invested in health and well-being has a clear return
in reduced health care costs in the future. During 2009 we will be more closely
assessing the economics of our well-being efforts. Another priority for 2009
will be exploring and expanding employee well-being programs outside the U.S.
We offer a variety of wellness programs worldwide and are continuing to
strengthen and expand these programs. In 2009, we will be launching additional
employee assistance program (EAP) offerings in several European countries.
Since many of our customers are major employers seeking to control their own
rising health care costs, we share our expertise with them through a program we
call Changes That Last a Lifetime, which we developed in partnership with the
Institute for Health & Productivity Management.
Exercise Across Abbott
Exercise Across Abbott is a four-week, team-based fitness program that
promotes physical activity as part of our employees' lifestyles. The program
spans all Abbott sites and rewards team members for increasing their physical
activity each week. More than 8,200 employees participated in the program in
2007, a 26 percent increase from 2006. Additionally, international employee
participation increased from 27 international countries to 40.
Abbott's 10K-A-Day
With the help of a step counter, daily e-mail tips and online tools,
10K-A-Day challenges and motivates employees in the U.S. to reach the daily
goal of 10,000 steps. After the first six weeks of the program, employees may
enter the Million Step Club and focus on accumulating a million steps. In 2007,
more than 4,100 employees registered for the program with about 200 of them
reaching taking more than a million steps.