Hewitt's The Road Ahead: Driving Productivity by Investing in Health 2008 survey found that employers are beginning to develop long-term health and productivity strategies to tackle rising health care costs and improve employees' overall health.

Employers are recognizing that their employees' health has a direct impact on the bottom line and it is more than a Benefit/HR issue — it is a business issue. In fact, according to this recent Hewitt survey, "less than a quarter (23%) of employers currently have a formal health and productivity strategy in place, but 60% more intend to develop that strategy in the next five years."

The Road Ahead: Driving Productivity by Investing in Health 2008 survey collected information about the health and productivity actions organizations are taking or are interested in taking in the following areas:

• Health and clinical programs;
  
• Pharmacy;
  
• Behavioral health;
  
• Absence management; and
  
• Vendor performance assessment.

Nearly 250 organizations participated in the survey, representing programs affecting nearly 4.4 million employees. The survey report presents current health and productivity trends and likely employer strategies for the next two to five years.

The Road Ahead: Driving Productivity by Investing in Health 2008 survey findings can be accessed by clicking here.

Printed copies of the survey findings are available by contacting Hewitt Associates at (847) 295-5000.