More than half of 2,000 U.S. employers responding to a recent survey are providing incentives to employees who participate in health improvement and wellness programs. According to Aon Hewitt's 2012 Health Care Survey, 59 percent used monetary incentives to promote participation in such programs, compared with only 37 percent in 2011. While the first step is getting employees to participate, many companies are struggling to see actual results. Fifty-eight percent of employers offering initial incentives also offer them for completing lifestyle modification programs. 

Besides having healthier employees, employers stand to save $700 per employee by impacting three out of eight risks and behaviors that Aon said directly influence 15 chronic conditions accounting for 80 percent of total costs for all chronic illnesses worldwide. The 8 risks and behaviors include poor diet, insufficient sleep, poor stress management, smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption.

Chronic medical conditions include diabetes, back pain, obesity, coronary artery disease, high cholesterol and asthma.