We are always striving to improve our investments in associate wellbeing programs that aim to influence our Group health culture though visible support of healthy lifestyle programs. We also encourage personal responsibility through innovative education and resources. In 2010 we set out to develop a global Return-on-Investment (ROI) model to help us evaluate which programs to pursue and how to evaluate their impact.
After testing various ROI options, we found constraints to developing a single global model for all of our companies. The biggest hurdle to developing such a model is the geographic differences in appropriate outcome measures for associate wellbeing programs. Our goal is still to develop a consistent global framework for measuring the return on investment of wellbeing investments and we are moving forward on two fronts.

Measuring and understanding associate participation and satisfaction

Having a clear understanding about the frequency with which our associates engage in wellbeing programs is important to designing the right measures. This is particularly the case with the wide range of programs we provide for associates, which include preventive treatment, mental and family health and physical activity programs. For example:

• Screening program participation measured in Greece: In 2010, Alfa Beta continued to offer a suite of preventive cancer screenings and health check-ups at low-to-no cost for associates. All associates were offered the opportunity to participate and 870 (almost 10%) participated.
• In Greece, 485 children of associates participated in the free three week summer camp sponsored by Alfa Beta (in partnership with two private camps) to help provide a safe and fun environment for associate’s children during school break and to relieve associates stress for the daily care and entertainment of their kids. 210 associates took advantage of company-sponsored physical activity events (football matches and discounts at fitness centers).
 
• Our 10 000 associates at Alfa Beta received Nutrilife, which is a booklet that informs and educates on the benefits of Mediterranean diet. Each of the three publications in 2010 analyzed one of the basic elements of the Mediterranean diet and provided information on its beneficial role for the human body and how some medical problems can be cured via healthy diet and exercise.
• With Delhaize America, preventive practices continue to be part of our internal health promotion to raise awareness of the importance of screening and having a relationship with a primary care physician. Measuring and understanding the effectiveness of this program forms an essential part its success and continually improving it. For Delhaize America, there was a 7% increase in the number of members on the health plan receiving preventive care in 2010 compared to 2009. The greatest increase was in the number of members receiving blood glucose screening test for diabetes to 38.2% and colorectal screenings increased to 15.8%.

What do our stakeholders think about it?

I have a great relationship with my primary care physician. When I had a medical ‘symptom’, I called her and she immediately followed up with preliminary tests. The result was a mutual decision to seek medical attention with a specialist and I was diagnosed with a questionable cancerous tumor. The results were good but will require continuous follow-up care the rest of my life as the tumor may reoccur. My surgeon and I are truly grateful for the quick follow-up by my primary care physician.

A grateful, over-65 year old associate from Maine

 

Conducting research to understand the habits and needs of our associates

As part of a four-year partnership between Delhaize Group and the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL), a survey of associates in Greece, Belgium and the U.S. was conducted in 2010. The results of the 2010 survey, which examined dietary habits and physical activity, will be announced in late 2011. These results will be used to design new wellbeing programs for our specific populations to help them develop healthier diets and increase physical activity for better overall health. Further planned research by UCL will continue to contribute to our understanding of how to best support our associate’s health.

Find Out More

Ask us a question