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A new study found that wellness programs in the workplace help cut health care costs and reduce hospital admissions for employees with chronic illnesses.

Philadelphia Inquirer: “The study examined PepsiCo's Healthy Living wellness program over the course of seven years. Among the program components are health risk assessments and on-site wellness events. The company's wellness program also provides help with disease and lifestyle management, as well as a hotline that provides advice from a nurse. The researchers assessed the experience of more than 67,000 employees who were eligible for the disease- and lifestyle-management programs… The researchers assessed the experience of more than 67,000 employees who were eligible for the disease- and lifestyle-management programs.”

Key findings: “The employees who participated in both the disease- and lifestyle-management program saved $160 each month. Hospital admissions among this group fell by 66 percent. Although those who participated in the lifestyle-management program missed work less often, the program did not have a significant effect on health care costs.”