00:00:00
So in the past decades, we saw a massive
00:00:03
increase in these company wellness
00:00:04
programs. But the core question remains
00:00:06
is whether these programs actually work
00:00:08
and have an impact. When we look at hard
00:00:10
evidence from randomized control trials,
00:00:12
we see that some of them lead to changes
00:00:14
in behavior of self-reported
00:00:15
improvements in gym attendance or taking
00:00:18
care of their health. But when we look
00:00:20
at outcomes that companies and
00:00:21
individuals care about like attendance,
00:00:24
workplace productivity, and long-term
00:00:26
health costs, the data does not support
00:00:29
that these programs actually work. So
00:00:30
what does this mean for us in the
00:00:32
future? With CO 19, we saw dramatic
00:00:34
shift in how people work. And the core
00:00:37
focus now is on mental health, on a more
00:00:40
holistic approach to evaluating and
00:00:42
supporting employees for how they can be
00:00:45
better at work and balance their work
00:00:47
and family duties. So the future of
00:00:49
research needs to focus on identifying
00:00:51
programs that really work for companies
00:00:53
and for employees to improve their
00:00:55
mental health as well.
