National Business Group on Health Recognizes HealthyQuest Program for
Fifth Consecutive Year
MADISON, N.J., June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services, announced today that the National Business Group on
Health (NBGH) has awarded its 2009 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles
Platinum Award to the company for its HealthyQuest employee wellness program.
The Platinum Award is presented to NBGH member companies that have established
employee wellness programs with measurable success and documented outcomes.
2009 marksQuest Diagnostics' first year receiving the Platinum Award, which
is the NBGH's highest honor. The company received the Gold Award in 2008 and
2007 and the Silver Award in 2006 and 2005.
"As a 2009 Best Employer for Healthy Lifestyles Platinum Award recipient,
Quest Diagnostics is at the vanguard of a national movement to promote a
system-wide culture of health emphasizing prevention, exercise, and eating
right," said Helen Darling, President of the National Business Group on
Health. "More than ever, a healthy workforce is critical to helping America's
large employers compete in the global marketplace. Quest Diagnostics is to be
applauded for making health and wellness an integral part of their workplace."
Through its HealthyQuest employee wellness initiative, Quest Diagnostics
aims to foster a workplace culture that encourages healthful behaviors.
HealthyQuest is centered on the company's Blueprint for Wellness(TM) risk
assessment service, which is available to 41,000 eligible employees as well as
their spouses or domestic partners. The Blueprint for Wellness service uses
assessments of an individual's laboratory testing results and lifestyle
choices to produce a personalized report identifying health risks and
opportunities for improvement. Armed with information from the Blueprint for
Wellness assessment, employees can access the company's diverse educational
and support programs, which are supported by hundreds of employee volunteers,
to make lifestyle changes. Programs include physical fitness, weight and
stress management resources and tobacco cessation counseling.
Between 2005 and 2008, the HealthyQuest program has helped Quest
Diagnostics employees to measurably lower their health risks by adopting
healthier behaviors. Key accomplishments include:
Tobacco Cessation: Employee tobacco usage dropped to an all-time low--12.7
percent--in 2008, compared to the national average of 21% (National Health
Interview Survey, 2006). About 3,600 individuals who have enrolled in the
program have quit smoking.
Colorectal Cancer Screening: In 2007, HealthyQuest launched an initiative
to raise employee compliance with colorectal cancer screening using the
FDA-cleared InSure(R) Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)(TM), which is designed
for use in screening for sources of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. In 2008,
more than 5,500 employees, spouses, and domestic partners--about 25 percent of
those who were eligible for the program--used and returned the InSure FIT
test.
Healthier Food Choices: Through HealthyQuest, the company has also
improved the nutritional quality of food served at onsite cafeterias and
vending machines.
In addition, in 2008, the company created a "Wellness Ambassador"
position, also referred to as director of Employer Wellness Initiatives. Bill
Germanakos, the 2007 season winner of the NBC television program The Biggest
Loser(R), assumed this new position following several years as a Quest
Diagnostics sales representative. During the series, Germanakos lost 164
pounds--or 49.1 percent of his body weight--in 34 weeks, dramatically
improving his health. As Wellness Ambassador, he frequently talks with Quest
Diagnostics employees about the favorable impact that losing weight and
adopting a healthier lifestyle has had on his health, family and career.
"HealthyQuest has made a considerable difference in the quality of health
of our employees," said David W. Norgard, vice president, Human Resources,
Quest Diagnostics. "Our comprehensive program is designed to educate, support,
and, through a team of on-site volunteers, motivate employees to take control
of their health and prevent health risks from escalating into serious health
conditions. Our expertise as the nation's leading diagnostic testing provider
uniquely positions us to implement successful wellness initiatives, both for
our own employees as well as for the employees of clients of our Blueprint for
Wellness risk assessment tool."
"Colleagues tell us that HealthyQuest has helped them to make important
lifestyle changes, anticipate and act earlier than they may have otherwise on
major medical problems, like diabetes or cancer, and halt destructive
behaviors, such as poor diet or smoking," said Fred R. Williams, Quest
Diagnostics director of Health Management Strategies. "Our business is seeing
a positive return, and that is important for the sustainability of the
program. But on most days, that benefit pales in comparison to the e-mail from
an employee who describes an early intervention into colon cancer as a result
of our initiative as '...my Best Christmas gift ever!' or the message that
'HealthyQuest is probably the best thing that has happened to me over the last
5 years...I'm excited about the path I am on, and thank HealthyQuest, and all
my weight loss team members, for helping to keep me focused on my weight loss
goals.'"
About Blueprint for Wellness
The Quest Diagnostics Blueprint for Wellness health-risk assessment
service uses laboratory data to help individuals identify potential health
risks and monitor wellness. The service is provided to health-conscious
companies that wish to implement employee wellness initiatives to help reduce
employees' greatest health risks, as measured by laboratory test results, for
healthier employees and lower healthcare costs. Employers can elect as many
as 30 laboratory tests to help employees, through confidential risk
assessments identify, understand and monitor their risk factors for
cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other conditions against their long-term
health goals. Quest Diagnostics also provides an online Blueprint for Wellness
service through which health conscious individuals may select affordable,
quality laboratory testing panels through a secure Google Health record.
For more information, visit www.blueprintforwellness.com.
About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health is the nation's only non-profit,
membership organization of large employers--including 60 of the Fortune
100--devoted exclusively to finding innovative and forward-thinking solutions
to their most important health care and related benefits issues. The NBGH
identifies and shares best practices in health benefits, disability, health
and productivity, related paid time off and work/life balance issues. NBGH
members provide health coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers,
retirees and their families. For more information about the NBGH, visit
www.businessgrouphealth.org.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services that patients and doctors need to make better
healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic
testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service
centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical
and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing innovative
new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions
that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available
at: www.QuestDiagnostics.com.
Quest Diagnostics Contacts:
Wendy Bost (Media): 973-520-2800
Laure Park (Investors): 973-520-2900
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated