UnitedHealthcare has presented 12 organizations with the “Well Deserved” award for 2011, an annual honor given to employers who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to helping their employees improve their health and well-being through worksite wellness programs.

Fifty percent of a person’s health status is a result of behavior and the choices made every day with respect to physical and emotional well-being, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The use of effective workplace programs and policies may reduce health risks and improve the quality of life for millions of workers in the United States, while reducing health care costs to individuals and employers.

More businesses are adopting wellness programs as a way to improve employee health and productivity, reduce absenteeism, build a culture of health within their organization, and better manage health care costs. Wellness Councils of America estimates that a $1 investment in a comprehensive wellness program saves an average of $3 in health care costs.

Tekelec’s wellness program, Health Matters at Tekelec, includes onsite health assessments and activities addressing targeted health risks. It offers discounts toward health insurance premiums for employees and their spouses who participate. Wellness activities include monthly lunch-and-learn sessions, walking challenges and physical activity programs, corporate gym discounts, healthy-dining challenges, discounted healthy-meal options in the onsite cafeteria and vending machines with healthier options offered at a discount. Health and wellness educational materials are provided through an intranet site, online newsletters, mailings, seminars, classes and events for all employees and their families.

Other organizations receiving the 2011 “Well Deserved” award were:

• AAA Southern New England, Providence, R.I.

• Barloworld Handling LLC, Charlotte, N.C.

• Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Ariz.

• Hexagon Metrology, North Kingstown, R.I.

• Jefferson County, Golden, Colo.

• NCH Corporation, Irving, Texas

• STRATTEC Security Corp., Milwaukee

• TeamHealth, Knoxville, Tenn.

Organizations earning the “Well Deserved” Golden Apple award signifying the “Well Deserved” distinction for two consecutive years were:

• Mary Kay Inc., Dallas

• Meredith Corp., Des Moines, Iowa

• Meritage Homes, Scottsdale, Ariz.

“This year’s ‘Well Deserved’ award winners have developed onsite wellness programs that demonstrate a true commitment to supporting their employees’ health and offer programs and resources that help employees take a more active role in ther health and well-being,” said Carol Calvin, RN, MS, CPQH, national director of UnitedHealthcare Health and Wellness. “Employers that empower their employees to make positive health care decisions are playing a critical role in improving our health care system and creating a healthier nation.”

The “Well Deserved” award program was designed to recognize employer customers that have implemented successful wellness programs and to reinforce UnitedHealthcare’s mission of helping people live healthier lives. An external broker review panel using widely accepted guidelines for effective worksite programs reviewed and judged the applicants.