ADVISORY/Experts Available To Discuss Increased Health Promotion Programs in U.S. Companies.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2002

TOPIC: A recent study by Hewitt Associates, a global outsourcing and consulting firm, shows that more U.S. companies offer some type of health promotion program, according to an article from Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. The number of companies that are spending more money on these programs increased from 89 percent in 1996 to 93 percent currently, the article says. In particular, disease management programs, which are expanded services for employees who need expensive care for conditions such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure, have increased and are now implemented at 76 percent of U.S. companies. EXPERTS: ExpertSource can offer several highly qualified experts to comment on this story:

Ms. Charleen R. Ernst is the founder, president and CEO of Cardium Health, a Connecticut based, venture-backed disease management company. She has 25 plus years' experience in key leadership roles in the disease management, service, and device segments of the health care industry. Ms. Ernst's knowledge and expertise, particularly in delivering health care cost reduction strategies for employers with proven clinical and financial outcomes, has earned Cardium Health recognition as the leading disease management company in the self-insured employer market. Ms. Ernst is an established authority on chronic illnesses and cardiac disease management. PR: Drake Manning, 860-408-1300, [e-mail]

Mr. Walter Anderson, HealthScreen America, is responsible for developing national relationships with major employers to market screening services and wellness programs to corporations. He brings more than 20 years experience in the health care industry, representing various divisions of Johnson & Johnson, Baxter International and IBM Corporation. He helped to pioneer the design and implementation of health management systems for many fortune 500 companies, identifying their unique healthcare needs by analyzing employee health issues, company culture and employee demographics. 904-380-3500, [e-mail]

Professor Colleen Medill, of the University of Tennessee, College of Law, is an expert regarding employee benefits and health care plans. 856-974-8339

ExpertSource cannot guarantee the immediate availability of these experts or their familiarity with this specific issue.

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