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Willis offers a terrific write up connecting workplace wellness programs to injury prevention: “This interest in workforce wellness pays dividends. The more we mitigate weight gain in aging workers the greater the rewards—particularly in injury prevention.”

The problem often occurs because of the obesity epidemic, which was highlighted in this video from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Adds Willis: “The obesity epidemic in the United States is spreading worldwide, and the results will be unfortunate. In most places, the aging workforce is taking its toll as more and more working families look at delaying retirement.

How many employers are investing in risk prevention strategies and workplace wellness strategies, but are not bringing them together? Companies often silo these initiatives like oil and vinegar. Nothing could be less effective.”

Indeed, Willis calls for considering how workplace wellness can be incorporated into more workplaces: “Safety and risk management professionals need to recognize how far workplace wellness solutions have come over those last 15 years. As the wellness industry matures, we are witnessing the deployment of incentive programs that sustain change, and the integration of new technologies that get results. Employers are leveraging the science and art of health behavior changes and seeing participation wellness programs increase, and health outcomes improve.”

The bottom line: “Sometimes, in our work, there are powerful synergies just waiting to be identified. Workplace wellness and injury prevention mix well and should be considered.”