GOOD HEALTH IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS


March 1998


Media Contacts: Traci Simmons, 404/727-8599, tgsimmo@emory.edu
Sarah Goodwin, 404/727-3366 - sgoodwi@emory.edu
http://www.emory.edu/WHSC/





ATLANTA -- In today's competitive business market, the health of a company isn't always judged by a profit and loss statement. EMORY HEALTHCARE is working to help employers identify ways to keep their employees and business healthy and productive through its Corporate Health Services.

"The goal of EMORY HEALTHCARE'S Corporate Health Services program is to address the specific health needs of employers, both large and small," says William Winkenwerder Jr., M.D., vice president for Primary Care, EMORY HEALTHCARE, and associate director, The Emory Clinic. "We want to help employers lower their health costs, but more importantly we want to work with employers to improve the health and productivity of their employees. Our approach is proactive and collaborative, and focuses on preventive strategies for keeping people well."

Last year alone, the total Worker's Compensation costs for discharges from Georgia hospitals totaled nearly 80 million dollars. On a national level, the costs for work-related injuries totaled 112 billion dollars including wages, medical costs and losses in productivity. (source: 1996 HCIA Discharge Database, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.)

EMORY HEALTHCARE'S Corporate Health Services programs include Occupational Health, Executive Health, TravelWell, International Healthcare and Preventive Health and Worksite Wellness.

EMORY HEALTHCARE Corporate Health Services
Occupational Health


In addition to basic treatment of and management of Worker's Compensation and other workplace-related injuries and illnesses, Emory Occupational Health provides a complete range of physical examinations, laboratory services, program development and special consultation services. For optimum convenience, Emory Occupational Health serves Atlanta businesses and corporations, both large and small, from a growing network of Occupational Health Centers which are conveniently located at 10 locations throughout metropolitan Atlanta.

Executive Health

Designed to keep top management in top shape by encompassing preventive, primary and diagnostic care. The result is an extensive risk assessment to help mitigate and prevent health problems. Also available is The Women's Executive Health program specifically tailored for women including mammograms and gynecological services.



TravelWell

This program advises business travelers and vacationers on the potential health risks they may encounter while abroad and is the largest program in the Southeast dedicated solely to geographic and traveler's medicine. Travelers are provided services such as pre-travel health assessments (including relevant travel immunizations and medications), education on food and water safety, and a summary of political climates and social customs of the countries that they plan to visit. TravelWell also offers post-travel care to patients returning ill from business trips or planned vacations and to international visitors who become ill while in the United States.

TravelWell

This program advises business travelers and vacationers on the potential health risks they may encounter while abroad and is the largest program in the Southeast dedicated solely to geographic and traveler's medicine. Travelers are provided services such as pre-travel health assessments (including relevant travel immunizations and medications), education on food and water safety, and a summary of political climates and social customs of the countries that they plan to visit. TravelWell also offers post-travel care to patients returning ill from business trips or planned vacations and to international visitors who become ill while in the United States.

Preventive Health & Worksite Wellness

Offering a menu of healthy options, this program focuses on good health practices for companies seeking to manage health care costs associated with workplace injuries and illnesses, disabilities, absenteeism and employee lifestyle changes. The preventive health strategy provides an array of health education, wellness and health enhancement programs designed to keep employees fit and healthy for work and for life. Some programs include: smoking cessation programs, heart disease prevention and risk-reduction programs, weight management, exercise and fitness programs, stress management, asthma education and more.

"The ultimate health cost savings strategy for employers is to have healthy, productive employees," says Dr. Winkenwerder. "We can definitely help employers do this."

For more information about EMORY HEALTHCARE'S Corporate Health Services, please call 404-778-7797.
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For more general information on The Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center, call Health Sciences Communication's Office at 404-727-5686, or send e-mail to hsnews@emory.edu.


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