Games improve health and well being among employees

Washington, June 29 (ANI): Games that promote health can improve the well-being of employees, which would in turn save employers' direct and indirect health care costs.

According to an Editorial in Games for Health Journal a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc, employers can more readily reap these benefits by offering game-based services that educate their employees about health and wellness and improve physical and psychological fitness.

"Wellness programs using health games have the potential to significantly impact human well-being and the costs, pain, and suffering of preventable illnesses and conditions," said Games for Health Journal Editor-in-Chief Bill Ferguson, PhD, in the Editorial entitled "Games for Wellness-Impacting the Lives of Employees and the Profits of Employers."

Dr. Ferguson highlighted the key factors that will drive increased market acceptance of health games and wellness initiatives among employers.

The Editorial described the characteristics of health games for improving wellness and how videogaming can help engage people in their own health, supplement traditional forms of exercise, promote healthy living, and improve patient care.

"The most successful wellness programs incorporate videogames that present themselves as in the service of the player," stated Dr. Ferguson.

"These activities enable individuals to engage in things they have personally desired, but were unable to prioritise and accomplish before wellness games. The result is healthier, happier, and more productive employees a win-win for employers and their people," he added.

The Editorial is available free on the Games for Health Journal website. (ANI)