In a recent study commissioned by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN), 500 full-time employees nationwide were interviewed by telephone.

“Today’s employees are clearly dealing with a lot of pressures such as the effects of 9/11, an unstable economy, national security threats and work/balance issues. There is a real opportunity for employers to serve as an ally to their employees by providing them with resources to better manage their physical and emotional health – anything from stress management lunch and learns to nutrition and physical fitness counseling,” says Deborah V. DiBenedetto, president of AAOHN.

Nearly 80% of respondents believe their health would improve if they were offered the right information and tools through a viable Corporate Health Promotion Program.

Topping the list of most interesting Corporate Health Promotion Programs cited by employees is stress management (85%), closely followed by testing programs (84%), exercise/physical fitness programs (84%), health insurance education (81%) and disease management lunch and learns (80%).

More than half of employees (61%) would prefer to receive health and wellness information from a healthcare consultant or worksite nurse, compared to pamphlets or brochures (18%) or human resources staff (15%).