Newswise — Vanderbilt's Go for the Gold wellness incentive program is a winner of a 2008 C. Everett Koop National Health Award, which recognizes worksite, community or government programs that improve health by reducing health risks and medical care costs.
Go for the Gold, a component of Health Plus, the staff and faculty wellness program, is a comprehensive health promotion program designed with incentives and tools to help employees and their families lead healthier and more productive lives.
"Koop Awards are the most prestigious awards for health improvement programs, requiring strong documentation of both health improvement and cost savings," said Mary Yarbrough, M.D., M.P.H., director of Vanderbilt's Health and Wellness program. "There is an extensive application and review process. It is rare for academic medical centers to be recognized, and we are thrilled and so fortunate to be able to work in such a supportive environment."
In their critiques, the Koop Award reviewers praised the high participation rate in Go for the Gold and its availability to spouses and domestic partners. In 2007, 80 percent of eligible faculty and staff and 38 percent of eligible spouses participated in the program. Health care savings were estimated at $214.87 per employee per year.
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