Company Receives Top Wellness Award After Employees Embrace Fitness Challenge
GODEN VALLEY, Minn (June 30, 2009) — OptumHealth Inc. has received a gold Wellness by Design Award from Hennepin County for its achievement in encouraging healthier lifestyles among its more than 11,000 employees. The honor recognizes the success of OptumHeath’s Fall Fitness Challenge, a company-wide initiative that rallied employees to improve their health and wellness during the 2008 fall and holiday seasons.
“OptumHealth is providing a wealth of information, resources, tools and professional support in an organized effort to help employees develop healthier lifestyles,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman. “It is clear to us that OptumHealth is an organization committed to encouraging and supporting employee health.”
Hennepin County’s Wellness by Design award is based upon Wellness Councils of America guidelines, which focus on an employer’s ability to offer cohesive wellness teams, appropriate intervention measures, a supportive workplace environment, and the ability to carefully evaluate outcomes.
Created and championed by OptumHealth’s marketing team, the company’s 2008 Fall Fitness Challenge gave employees the option of focusing on personal fitness, nutrition or both. They participated in a wide range of activities, including yoga classes, food drives, wellness coaching seminars and programs promoting healthy meal options.
“Our people showed incredible enthusiasm for the Fall Fitness Challenge, and in the process reminded us that a little creativity and support can go a long way toward inspiring healthier behaviors,” said Tom McEnery, chief marketing officer for OptumHealth. “We’re not just talking about more employees participating in fitness activities — we’re talking about promoting real lifestyle changes and a culture of health within our organization. In the past year, we’ve organized and seen growing participation in cycling and running clubs, walking challenges, triathlon teams and formal workout classes. And, we’re delivering healthier menu options in our cafeterias.”
McEnery noted that the Fall Fitness Challenge has had a direct and lasting impact on OptumHealth’s employee health and morale. Almost half of the employees in the Golden Valley headquarters office participated in the event, and participation at OptumHealth locations across the country was also strong. Employees reported weight loss, increased energy, reduced stress and a general motivation to live healthier lives. “The people who work for this company get out of bed every day to support our mission to help people live their lives to the fullest, and today we are more determined than ever to live the mission ourselves,” added McEnery.
OptumHealth is the leading provider of wellness programs, currently offering services to an estimated 25 million individuals across the country on everything from healthy weight to tobacco cessation and onsite wellness consulting.
“ We offer these programs to employers and organizations because we know that up to 70 percent of today’s health care costs are driven by lifestyle, which could be modified or changed to improve health and reduce costs,” said Todd Spaulding, vice president of OptumHealth Care Solutions. “We know first-hand the impact a well-planned and well-executed wellness program can have on an organization and its culture. Wellness programs create an internal excitement that makes employees proud to be a part of an organization, and ultimately helps to contribute to a healthier population. ”
About OptumHealth
OptumHealth Inc. helps individuals navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals. The company’s personalized health advocacy and engagement programs tap a unique combination of capabilities that encompass care solutions, behavioral solutions, specialty benefits and financial services. Serving nearly 60 million people, OptumHealth is one of the nation’s largest health and wellness business and is a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company. More information about OptumHealth can be found at www.optumhealth.com.
For more information:
Molly McMillen
Senior Manager, External Communications
(763) 797-4559 | 
