Congratulations to our winners of a $50 Martin’s gift card!

Teresa A Welty (Terri), Law Library
Kasey S Buckles, Economics and Econometrics
Emily Jane Loomis, Physical Education
Monica A Cundiff, Athletics

A special thanks to all that have participated so far in the Wellness Research Study.  If you haven’t yet, it is not too late.

Participate in the Wellness Research Project

Invitation Letter to Participate in the Research Survey

Why are we studying this topic?
Notre Dame has initiated a wellness program to help ND employees and their families live healthier lives.  To understand how attitudes and behavior influence employee use of these programs (and to understand what wellness programs Notre Dame employees find to be useful), we would like to learn more about your thoughts, and attitudes about different aspects of wellness.  Healthcare costs are crippling organizations across the country: by uncovering the drivers behind preventive initiatives, we can help organizations – and in particular, the Notre Dame community – to provide programs that best meet the needs of employees and their families.

Who are the researchers?
The researchers are faculty members in the Mendoza College of Business.  They are Corey Angst, PhD, Assistant Professor of Management; and Elizabeth Moore, PhD, Associate Professor of Marketing.

What are our research questions?
The broad goal of this study is to investigate the extent to which various health programs implemented through electronic and traditional means can improve the wellness of the Notre Dame community.  We will collect comprehensive data that yields research papers as well as practical insights.  Some of the specific issues that  we are investigating are:

• Does the implementation of different types of wellness programs impact health attitudes and behaviors of employees?  Does this, in turn, lead to improved health for ND employees and their families?  Does this improved health lead to lower health care costs?
• How do parents’ approaches to diet and exercise impact their children?
• How does technology impact health behavior? 

What is required to participate?
We will ask you to complete an online survey.

How will confidentiality be maintained?
All personal information will be stripped from your responses, and then only the research team will have access to the data.  Each person who answers the survey will have an ID assigned to them.  We cannot connect this ID to any specific person.  In other words, we can see individual responses, but don’t know who you are.

So, no person specific information will be shared, only general trends within the population will be reported in the form of academic research and summary reports. 
 
Under NO circumstances can anyone in the ND administration or ND HR access the information that you supply in the survey.  We have a signed agreement stating that HR does not want this information, and will not ask for this information, and that we are not permitted to share this information.  In addition, no employment or administrative decisions will be based on the information you provide.

What results will this study generate?
We seek to further knowledge in the wellness domain, specifically determining the factors which help to promote and sustain wellness.  This topic is relevant across all types of organizations as they struggle to keep their workforce healthy.  We aim to share our results with the business, public health and academic communities. 

What kinds of questions are asked in the survey?
Questions in the survey focus on your thoughts and attitudes about various aspects of your health.  Most questions ask you to answer a question on a scale (for example, how much you agree or disagree with a particular statement).  Some sample questions are listed below.  Of course, you may skip any questions that you do not wish to answer.

Some sample questions from the survey:

1. When all is said and done, you are the person who is responsible for managing your health condition.
2. Taking an active role in your own health care is the most important factor in determining your health and ability to function.
3. When your child is at home, how often are you responsible for preparing his/her meals?
4. How often are you responsible for determining what your child’s portion sizes are?