Stress continues to drive staff members’ work-related health concerns, which is probably why most respondents (78 percent) in a recent survey claim they would participate in a Corporate Health and Wellness Program to help their overall health and wellness.

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

“Today’s staff members 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 staff members by providing them with resources to better manage their physical and emotional health – anything from stress management seminars to nutrition and physical fitness counseling,” says Deborah V. DiBenedetto, president of AAOHN.

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

Topping the list of most interesting Corporate Health and Wellness Programs cited by staff members is stress management (85 percent), closely followed by testing programs (84 percent), exercise/physical fitness programs (84 percent), medical insurance education (81 percent) and disease management seminars (80 percent).

More than half of staff members (61 percent) would prefer to receive health and wellness information from a health care consultant or on-site nurse, compared to pamphlets or brochures (18 percent) or human resources staff (15 percent).