Membership in the Wellness Council of Iowa is growing, with a membership of 180 Iowa companies that follow its prescriptions for establishing workplaces that promote good health.

The organization is just one example of efforts in Greater Des Moines to encourage individuals and employers to work toward an overall state of wellness, with its potential for successfully managing chronic illnesses, preventing lost work due to illness and reducing insurance costs.

“Our focus is on education and recognition, as far as awards,” said Craig Hanken, executive director of the Wellness Council of Iowa. “We work on advocacy for business and the worker. With employees, we get the usual suspects who consume wellness on a regular basis, but if you create the right environment where wellness is the easiest thing to consume, then you can engage a lot of folks.”

The Wellness Council of Iowa, which was organized in 1988, focuses on changing leaders’ mindset from one that focuses on activities to one that focuses on results.

Employers are more willing to “lead by example” in establishing healthful lifestyles if they find that there is a practical benefit, such as reduced insurance premiums and a more productive work force, Hanken said.

The organization provides educational materials, webinars and seminars to companies and individuals who want to pursue a healthful lifestyle.

Wellness Council of Iowa members also pursue designations from its parent organization as Well Workplaces, with four levels of recognition from bronze to silver to gold to platinum at the top.

The designations are based, in part, on the seven benchmarks of capturing CEO support, creating cohesive wellness teams, collecting data to reinforce health programs, having an operating plan, creating a supportive environment, evaluating outcomes and establishing appropriate interventions.

Having the boss on board is a key element to driving successful wellness programs, Hanken said.

“Leading by example plays a huge role,” he said. “I think that when you establish that kind of a culture, then anything is possible.”

Last year, EMC Insurance Cos., Hy-Vee Inc.’s corporate office, LaMair – Mulock – Condon Co., the YMCA of Greater Des Moines and Warren County government received gold certifications. In all, 39 Iowa companies have received one of the four levels of certification.

In Greater Des Moines, the platinum designation has been awarded to Des Moines University, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., Principal Financial Group Inc., Townsend Engineering Co. and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.