Running Head: EFFECTS ON INSURANCE RATES

PPE 310: Health Literacy for Schools

Effects on Insurance Rates in Companies
Signature Assignment
Hannah Lyon
Dr. Hesse

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

Introduction
Insurance is financial protection given from a company to its employees. This protect
helps employees face unexpected life burdens. Insurance policies are always changing based on
the company and the money that is involved. Obesity is a huge epidemic that is sweeping the
nation. Obesity is extremely excessive weight gain. This weight gain can lead to a number of
diseases and in some cases death. But what is the connection between insurance and obesity?
Obesity has a large negative effect on health. Companies are paying big bucks to deal with these
negativities through the insurance policies the company has in place. However there is hope.
Companies are coming up with creative ways to tackle obesity on a company front. Wellness
programs will help create a healthy atmosphere in and out of the workplace that leads to big
drops in insurance rates.
Literature Review
The studies showed the effects and problems of unhealthy people and uninsured people.
Companies have to put a lot of money into insurance policies and now people are forced to pay
into health care or be forced to pay a fine. Living a healthy life style will help companies be able
to keep insurance rates low and employees happy and long-term employees. Health insurance is
a huge deal in this county, "The lack of health insurance is a large and growing problem in the
United States. In 2008, 15.4% of the US population was uninsured, and the number of uninsured
persons has increased over the past 2 decades (Brooks, EL) President Obama tried to aid this by
implementing a health insurance Mandate, Beginning in 2014, nearly every resident of the
United States will be required to have health insurance coveragemust be enrolled in a
qualifying plan that provides minimum essential coverage (Brooks, EL).

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

The Effect of Obesity on Cognition in Adults with and without a Mood Disorder: Study
Design and Methods looked into the effect obesity had on mental health. The study conducted
was to measure memory, executive functioning and attention in people with obesity. There were
two control populations involved in this study. One control group was a healthy person without a
mental illness before having bariatric surgery and the second did have bariatric surgery. There
were many tests given in the beginning to analysis health, memory, executive functioning and
attention (Restivo, M. R.). They retested cognitive performance one year later, after weight loss
for surgery. This study determined the effect of obesity on cogitative performance. At the end of
the year the control population showed that the obese non-psychiatric had worse cognitive
performance.
Health Insurance and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors investigated the relations of
health insurance status to prevalence, treatment, and control of major cardiovascular disease risk
factors. They tested the participants in clinic examination (Cheng, J., & Kozikowski, A. P.
(2015). The prevalence of hypertension and high cholesterol was almost the same among insured
and uninsured. The uninsured were the lesser that received treatment. The results conclude that
the lack of health insurance is a huge problem in the United States.
Will Health Insurance Mandates Increase Coverage? Synthesizing Perspectives from
Health, Tax, and behavioral Economics looks into the effects of Obamacare. In 2014, every
citizen in the US was required to obtain health insurance. There was a penalty free for people
who did not sign up for health care coverage (Auerbach, D. 2010).
Synthesis of Information
Nutrition has a lot to do with creating a healthy lifestyle. The Supertracker is an activity
that would be great to use in a company. As a leader of a company I would love for my

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

employees to track their meal choices for the day. The Supertraker was very easy to use and
understand. I would have no problem asking my employees to take some time out of their day to
fill this out. After they fill it out I would email everyone reflection questions for each employee
to think about. The next day I would hold a meeting to talk about what everyone learned about
himself or herself. Doing an activity like this is a great conversation starter for healthy eating.
Once everyone had time to share I would invite them to brainstorm ways to help each other meet
out nutritional goals/targets together.
Coming up with goals together within a group helps to hold people responsible. It also
helps engage more people. Even if they believe they personally do not to change their habits
them might try to change in order to support a friend. Then both of the individuals will benefit.
Also, I could turn it into a competition. The first person to make all nutrient targets for seven
days straight receives a prize. This activity sparks so many fun and creative ways to get the
company thinking about their health and changing their eating habits for the better.
Fast food is a dangerous industry that has a hold on many Americans. It is hard to drive
five minutes down the road and not find a fast food restaurant. It makes it so easy to just run
through the drive-thru to grab dinner or a snack during a work break. Providing healthy snacks in
the break room could help employees to fight the urge to look for food elsewhere.
Taking a moment to think about what is being placed into the body is a powerful lesson
that everyone should do once in a while. I have really learned from this experience and I am
excited to make changes to ensure my body the nutrients it needs.
Practical Implications
Our company reviewed our current insurance policies and insurance
rates and decided we wanted to do something to help our employees. We

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

want our employees to live happy and stress free lives. We believe we can
help them make this transition to this new lifestyle by implementing a
wellness program. In our initial meeting about the company wellness
program we played a trivia game and talked about the basics of the wellness
program. We made it clear that partaking in the wellness program was
optional but that it would make a huge impact on next years insurance
policy rates. The wellness program is will take about 6 months to fully
complete. Below is the outline of the wellness program plan we discussed in
the first presentation.
Details
Month One: Healthy Eating
This first month we will take time to learn about healthy eating. Every Friday
we will start the day with mini video presentations about healthy eating.
First Friday video: 5 Quick and Easy Healthy Breakfast Ideas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6ehyV7kqv8
Second Friday: Veganism: Smart Food Swaps https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9YWvZXB_vBE
Third Friday: Balance: What to eat!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ccn6IHivD5M
Last Friday: Ted Talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Q4yUlJV31Rk
After each video there will be a questionnaire for everyone to fill out and
reflect on.
Exit Reflection Questions:
1. What is the Ah-Ha moment from this mornings video?
2. What new information do you want to share with your family?
3. What is something new you want to try in your diet?
This month will also be the time where we have brainstorm sessions. Every
Wednesday we will hold brainstorm sessions with everyone who is in the
wellness program. We will be brainstorming on how to make the office a
healthier environment, focusing on nutrition.
First Wednesday Topic: Break room swaps: How can we make the break room a healthy
eating environment? What take-out menus should be in the break room? What catering
services should we partner up with?

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

Second Wednesday Topic: Lunch Break: What can we do to make lunch break healthier?
Make lunch breaks mandatory? Should the company carter more lunch breaks? Should
we make a lunchroom?
Third Wednesday Topic: Eating out of the office: How can we help our co-workers make
healthy choices out of the office?
Last Wednesday Topic: Clean Eating Cook Off: This will be the time where everyone
brings in his or her dish. This will also be the time where we vote on our favorite and the
winner will be given a prize on Friday after the mini lesson video.

Month Five: Gentle fitness and Reflection

Conclusion
Looking after the overall wellness of our company will alleviate many concerns our
employees have over health insurance. Our employees have a say in their insurance rates and that
say is through personal wellness. It is our job to educate our employees to understand the value
of personal wellness and living a healthy lifestyle.
Our wellness program will take at least 6 months before it can take full effect but once it
takes off we will see results. The program that we establish will offer many benefits such as
creating a happy and healthy workplace atmosphere. This new atmosphere will boost
productivity and hopefully lead to less sick days throughout the year. Our wellness program will
also extend out into our community and our employees families. Our program will encourage
seeking help and support through family members. This will create a ripple effect of healthy
actions throughout the community. This program will also not just make an immediate impact
today but will lie out groundwork that will last for years to come. Once our employees see their
insurance rates drop as their lives become healthier they will want to keep these changes for a
healthy future.
This program is what our company needs to boost company morale and ensure low
insurance rates for our employees for years to come.

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

Reference:
Auerbach, D., Holtzblatt, J., Jacobs, P., Minicozzi, A., Moomau, P., & White, C. (2010). Will
health insurance mandates increase coverage? Synthesizing perspectives from health, tax,
and behavioral economics. National Tax Journal, 63(4), 659-680.
Brooks, E. L., Preis, S. R., Hwang, S.-J., Murabito, J. M., Benjamin, E. J., Kelly-Hayes, M.,
Levy, D. (2010). Health Insurance and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors. The
American Journal of Medicine, 123(8), 741747.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2010.02.013
Cheng, J., & Kozikowski, A. P. (2015). We Need 2C but Not 2B: Developing Serotonin 2C (5HT 2C ) Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of CNS Disorders. ChemMedChem, 10(12),
1963-1967. doi:10.1002/cmdc.201500437
Restivo, M. R., McKinnon, M. C., Frey, B. N., Hall, G. B., & Taylor, V. H. (2016). Effect of
obesity on cognition in adults with and without a mood disorder: study design and
methods. BMJ Open, 6(2), e009347. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009347

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

Rubric for Signature Assignment

Criteria
with
Professio
nal
Standards
Reference
d

5
Exemplary
(97 100%)

4
Highl
y
Profi
cient
(93
96%)

3
Proficient
(83 92%)

2
Appr
oachi
ng
Profi
cient
(73
82%)

1
Unsatisfactory
(72%
and below)

9-10 Points

7-8
Points

5-6 Points

3-4
Points

1-2 Points

Outline
Turned
In(Already
submitted
for points)

Logical, detailed
outline with at
least 5 original
peer reviewed
references written
in APA format is
submitted with a
technology choice
selected to embed
the assignment.

Brief
outlin
e
with
at
least
5
origin
al
peer
revie
wed
refere
nces
writte
n in
APA
forma
t is
subm
itted.

Brief outline with

some references
but not 5 original
peer reviewed
references written
in APA format are
submitted.

Brief
outlin
e
with
one
or no
refere
nces
subm
itted.

No outline was
submitted.

Introducti
on

9-10 Points

7-8
Points

5-6 Points

3-4
Points

1-2 Points

Intro
ducti
on is
addre
ssed
adequ
ately.

Introduction is
omitted or was
disorganized and did
not create a plan for
the paper.

Outline

Introducti
on to the
topic and
overview
(In your
purpose
statement
also
introduce
all
subtopics)

Introduction is
fully developed,
well organized,
introduces all
topics, created a
plan for the paper
and invites the
reader to read
further.

Intro
ducti
on is
fully
devel
oped
with
all
topics
introd
uced.

Introduction is
addressed well,
somewhat
organized and
created a plan for
the paper

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

InTASC
1c,k; 5k;
9f; 10h
NAEYC
6b
NETS-T
3a,d; 4a,c
CEC
EC2S1;
CC7K1;
EC7K1;C
C9K4;CC
9S8
Literature
Review
Adequacy
of
Knowledg
e
(includes 5
peer
reviewed
original
research
articles
references
)
InTASC
1c,k; 5k;
9f; 10h
NAEYC
6b
NETS-T
3a,d; 4a,c
CEC
EC2S1;
CC7K1;
EC7K1;C
C9K4;CC
9S8

13-15 Points

10-12
Points

6-9 Points

5-7
Points

1. Literature
review highlights
major issues in the
area.
2. Through use of
a range of
references to
support key issues.

1.
Litera
ture
revie
w
addre
sses
major
issues
in the
area.
2.
Thor
ough
use of
a
range
of
refere
nces
to
suppo
rt key
issues
.

1. Literature
review may
address major
issues, but issues
may not be
supported with
expert knowledge.

1.
Litera
ture
revie
w
does
not
addre
ss the
major
issues
in the
area;
the
level
of
suppo
rt for
the
issues
is not
adequ
ate.

3. Description of
important studies
establishes context
for the reader.
4. Includes more
than 5 informative
references.

3.
Inclu
des
descri
ption
s of

2. Good use of
references, but
additional
references may
have strengthened
the paper.
3. Includes 4
references.

2.
Inclu
des 3
refere
nces.

1-4 Points

1. Literature review
does not have the
depth of knowledge
appropriate to this
upper level course.
2. Includes less than
2 references.

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

impor
tant
studie
s to
provi
de
conte
xt for
the
reade
r.
4.
Inclu
des 5
or
more
refere
nces.
Synthesis
of
Informatio
n
Synthesis
of
Informatio
n (what
did the
articles
collectivel
y say
about the
topic?
Which
authors
had
similar
and
different
findings?)
InTASC
1c,k; 5k;
9f; 10h
NAEYC
6b
NETS-T
3a,d; 4a,c
CEC
EC2S1;

13-15 Points

10-12
Points

1. Studies covering
the same topic
synthesize related
research.

Studi
es
cover
ing
the
same
topic
are
sum
mariz
ed
and
integr
ated
level
work.

2. Described
similar or differing
and detailed
themes throughout
the articles
3. Demonstrate
thoroughly how
your research and
the data collected
supports your
stance on why
your healthy and
active school plan
is not only
important for hope
and engagement at
your school and in
your community,

6-9 Points

Information is
presented studyby-study rather
than summarized
by topic.
2. Described
similar or differing
themes throughout
the articles which
were not detailed
3. Somewhat
demonstrated how
your research and
the data collected
supports your
stance on why
your healthy and
active school plan
is not only
important for hope
and engagement at
your school and in

5-7
Points

1-4 Points

The
literat
ure
revie
w is a
mixe
d set
of
ideas
witho
ut a
partic
ular
focus.

The literature review

does not demonstrate
a particular focus
and lacks ideas
based on the subject
chosen.
2. Described similar
or differing themes
throughout the
articles, however
they were not
detailed
3. Did not
demonstrate how
your research and
the data collected
supports your stance
on why your healthy
and active school
plan is not only
important for hope
and engagement at

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

CC7K1;
EC7K1;C
C9K4;CC
9S8
Practical
Implicatio
ns and
Technolog
y infusion
Practical
Implicatio
ns
(Discuss
how the
findings
can or will
later be
applied to
your
teaching
setting)
InTASC
1c,k; 5k;
9f; 10h
NAEYC
6b
NETS-T
3a,d; 4a,c
CEC
EC2S1;
CC7K1;
EC7K1;C
C9K4;CC
9S8

but ties to
academic success
in your classroom
as well.

your community,
but ties to
academic success
in your classroom
as well.

27-30 Points

23-26
Points

1. Practical
implications of
your event details
including your
teaching level and
in a particular
setting are
discussed
thoroughly. A
minimum of 6
topics are applied.

1.
Practi
cal
impli
catio
ns are
discu
ssed
but
not
relate
d to a
partic
ular
teachi
ng
settin
g or
topic
or
certai
n
detail
s are
missi
ng.

2. Contains
thorough
discussion on how
each of the 6
program/compone
nts that are in
place are
organized,
conducted, and
overseen or a
detailed plan about
how each
component can be
added.
3. All
programs/compone
nts implemented
include discussion
on modifications
for those with
disabilities.
4. Contained
discussion on a

19-22 Points

1. Practical
implications are
discussed but not
at a particularly
level or in a
particular setting
and many details
of your event are
missing.
2. Contained at
least 4-5
components of a
comprehensive
school program;
however, some of
the needed detail is
missing.
3. Most
programs/compone
nts implemented
include discussion
on modifications
for those with
disabilities.
4. Technology
infusion was used
but it did not
enhance the
proposal

your school and in

your community, but
ties to academic
success in your
classroom as well.
15-18
Points

1.
Practi
cal
impli
catio
ns are
not
thoro
ughly
discu
ssed
and
only
a few
detail
s of
the
event
are
prese
nt

1-14 Points

1. Practical
implications are not
discussed and no
details of the event
are present.
2. Contained 3 or
fewer components of
a comprehensive
school program
3. Contains little
discussion on which
programs/component
s are currently in
place
4. Few
programs/component
s implemented
include discussion
on modifications for
those with
disabilities.
5. Technology
infusion was not
used.

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

specific health
behavior
highlighted by the
special event
5. Embedding
Technology as a
platform to
enhance your
proposal
Conclusio
n
Conclusio
n
ITASC
1c,k; 5k;
9f; 10h
NAEYC
6b
NETS-T
3a,d; 4a,c
CEC
EC2S1;
CC7K1;
EC7K1;C
C9K4;CC
9S8
Writing
and
Referencin
g Style
First Draft
of all
sections
submitted
with
changes
made
integrating
instructor
comments
from the
outline

9-10 Points

Major issues
support and
establish
conclusions.

7-8
Points

The
major
issues
are
sum
mariz
ed
under
concl
usion
s.

5-6 Points

The conclusions
are not complete.

3-4
Points

Provi
des
opini
ons,
but
not a
sum
mary
of
findin
gs.

1-2 Points

No conclusions are
included.

9-10 Points

7-8
Points

5-6 Points

3-4
Points

1-2 Points

Detailed draft of
all sections of the
paper with
appropriate
content, headers,
writing style, a
choice of
technology to
embed the
assignment and
references in APA
6.0 style.

Detai
led
draft
of
ALL
sectio
ns
with
some
errors
in
conte
nt
cover
ed,
headi
ngs,

Detailed draft of
MOST sections
with some errors
in content covered,
headings, writing
style and/or
references in APA
6.0 style.

Missi
ng
sectio
ns or
paper
has
regul
ar
errors
acros
s
conte
nt
cover
ed,
headi
ngs,

Incomplete (missing
half of the
requirements) or
completely missing
paper.

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

Integration
of
instructor
comments
from first
draft
(SubSection of
Writing
and
Referencin
g)

All comments
from instructor
integrated into
final version. All
were highlighted
in yellow

Writing
and
referencin
g style
(SubSection of
Writing
and
Referencin
g)

1. Cover page
included, proper
spelling and
grammar, all
references in APA
6.0 style. Paper
was appropriate
length (at least 5
pages)
2. The file
document name
contains
Lastname.firstnam
e.assignment#.cour

writin
g
style
and/o
r
refere
nces
in
APA
6.0
style.
Most
com
ments
from
instru
ctor
integr
ated
into
final
versi
on.
All
were
highli
ghted
in
yello
w
1.
Cove
r
page
inclu
ded,
few
gram
matic
al
errors
and
missp
elling
s, all

Some comments
from instructor
integrated into
final version. Most
were highlighted
in yellow

1. Cover page
included, some
grammatical errors
and misspellings,
some errors in
referencing style
APA 6.0.
2. Paper was too
short for the topic
(3-4 pages)
3. The file name
somewhat contains
the

writin
g
style
and/o
r
refere
nces
in
APA
6.0
style.
Very
few
com
ments
from
instru
ctor
integr
ated
into
final
versi
on.
Most
were
highli
ghted
in
yello
w
1.
Cove
r
page
not
inclu
ded,
many
gram
matic
al
errors
and
missp
elling

No comments from
instructor integrated
into final version.
The changes were
not highlighted

1. Cover page not

included, major
grammatical errors
and misspellings,
many errors in
referencing style
APA 6.0.
2. Paper was too
short for the topic (12 pages)
3. The file document
name does not
contain the

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE RATES

se#
3. This rubric was
added to the last
page of the
document
submitted
4. All sentences
are clear and well
developed
5. Proposals and
events are
appropriate length
with standard
margins, font, and
size of text

refere
nces
in
APA
6.0
style.
2.
Paper
was
appro
priate
lengt
h (at
least
5
pages
)

Lastname.firstnam
e.assignment#.cour
se#
4. This rubric was
added but not at
the end of the
document
submitted
5. Most sentences
are clear and well
developed
6. Proposals and
events are mostly
appropriate length
with standard
margins, font, and
size of text

s,
some
errors
in
refere
ncing
style
APA
6.0.

Lastname.firstname.
assignment#.course#
4. This rubric was
not added to the
document submitted

2.
Paper
was
too
short
for
the
topic
(1-2
pages
)

6. Proposals and
events are not of
appropriate length
with larger than
standard margins,
font and size of text

5. Many sentences
are not clear and
underdeveloped