Cash a motivator in wellness programs

NEW YORK, March 31 (UPI) -- Most U.S. employees say cash or other incentives would help them live healthier lifestyles, a survey reveals.

Sixty-eight percent of the employees surveyed by the Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America believe incentives -- cash, gifts and extra vacation days -- can help motivate them to shore up the willpower to adopt healthier behaviors such as exercising, eating properly and kicking their smoking habits.

The insurance company survey found three in 10 employees either currently participate and/or have participated in a wellness program in the past three years. But about half of those who participated in wellness programs admit that after a while they may taper off.

Two-thirds of all employees and 85 percent of those who are currently enrolled or have participated in a wellness program say these programs are effective in promoting good health.

Employees favor having a number of alternative techniques covered by insurance, including: 72 percent want chiropractic treatment, 71 percent nutritional counseling, 57 percent acupuncture, 49 percent herbalism/botanical medicine, 45 percent homeopathy, 41 percent reflexology, 41 percent personal training, 39 percent yoga and 31 percent Pilates.

The telephone survey of 473 U.S. adults has a margin of error of plus/minus 6.4 percentage points.