Weighing Wellness:
Sprint Nextel

By Joanne Wojcik

The origins of Overland Park, Kan.-based Sprint Nextel's corporate wellness culture can be traced back to the mid-1990s when the company opened the first building in its 300-acre "pedestrian campus," which was designed to encourage employees to walk more.

Then-CEO William Esrey "had quite a bit of influence in terms of the layout and the thought process behind the campus setting," according to Collier Case, director of health and productivity benefits. "He was always interested in fitness."

In fact, the company had onsite fitness centers--where Mr. Esrey was frequently spotted--since the early 1980s, Mr. Case said.

Sprint Nextel also has an onsite health clinic in Overland Park and is opening one in Reston, Va., in 2008. Onsite dental clinics are also available at three locations. In addition, the company provides health risk assessments, flu shots and biometric screenings for glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index.

Participation in the biometric screenings averages between 22% and 25% of employees annually, while as many as 50% of employees signed up for the health risk assessment the first year it was offered in 2005, according to Mr. Case. In addition, participation rates in behavior change programs are well above 50%, he said.

The company has analyzed the disease management components of its wellness program, comparing the claims costs of those who participated vs. those who didn't, and found that it is getting a return on its investment averaging between 2.2-to-1 and 2.6-to-1, Mr. Case reported.

Sprint Nextel rolled out "Lean Team Challenge" nationwide in 2006 in which participants collectively lost a total of 6,000 pounds. More than 300 four-person teams completed the 10-week event that focused on both fitness and nutrition.

The company recently branded a new wellness program called "Sprint Alive!" that features nurse advocates for complex health needs; a health risk assessment; health improvement programs; a maternity program; condition assistance programs; a cancer support program; a depression assistance program; a telephonic health information library; and a Web site offering a wealth of health information. All Sprint Alive! programs are available free to employees.
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