Shellie Winkler, who spearheaded the Health Engagement Pulse, shares a perspective on what the public expects of American business. Shellie is EVP/Group Leader, Corporate & Financial Communications and EVP, Health, Corporate & Public Affairs with Edelman, New York.

The business community recognizes it has a role in improving health. Traditionally, many businesses viewed strong employee wellness programs and operating practices that ‘do no harm’ to the health of their communities as enough of a contribution. Now, findings from our Health Engagement Pulse suggest Americans look to business to do much more, in ways that businesses may not have previously considered imperative.

Conducted in November 2009, the Health Engagement Pulse indicates businesses may be obligated and expected to partake in health solutions. Things like sharing knowledge and innovations to improve health shift from ‘nice to have’ to ‘must do.’ The findings also signify there is a stark difference between where Americans think businesses currently are engaging in health and where they think they should be – according to the Pulse, only about one in 10 Americans think business is doing an excellent or very good job on health issues they deem important.

It’s only logical that Americans will reward companies they believe are actively engaging in health. To me, this means businesses have an opportunity to improve not only our country’s health but the health of their business, as people may be more likely to purchase from, recommend and invest in companies that act on health issues.

A few statistics from the Pulse to illustrate:
• 81 percent of Americans think it is important for business to share knowledge or innovations that improve health, yet only 11 percent think business is doing an excellent or very good job at this
• 73 percent of Americans believe it is important for business to help employees lead healthier lives, yet only 10 percent believe business is doing an excellent or very good job at this
• 86 percent would be likely to purchase from a company that is committed to engaging in and improving health
• 72 percent would be likely to invest in a company that is committed to engaging in and improving health

It will be interesting to watch businesses extend their health engagement practices and see how their performance and reputation evolves. We invite you to give the survey results and press release a full read, and let us know what you think.