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Healthy at Work? Evidence from a Social Experimental Evaluation of a Firm-Based Wellness Program

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  • Marianne Simonsen
  • Lars Skipper

Abstract

We employ a large social experiment combined with register-based data, allowing for up to 12-year follow-up to evaluate a long-lasting employer-sponsored health and well-being program. We show that employees at treated worksites receive fewer consultations from their primary care physician and purchase fewer prescription drugs. These effects persist up to seven years after randomization, though with some fade-out. We find no effects on overall hospitalizations in either the short or longer run, and the program was not successful in improving labor-related outcomes such as absence and turnover. Finally, we show some evidence of spillovers within the family.

Suggested Citation

  • Marianne Simonsen & Lars Skipper, 2025. "Healthy at Work? Evidence from a Social Experimental Evaluation of a Firm-Based Wellness Program," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 17(3), pages 471-495, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:471-95
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20210024
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management

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