Promoting health and wellness: A Survey on corporate wellness practices in Emilia-Romagna (Northern Italy).

BACKGROUND: corporate wellness programmes have gained increasing attention as tools for promoting healthy behaviours in the workplace, yet systematic evidence on their diffusion in Italy is limited. OBJECTIVES: to describe the adoption of wellness practices among large companies in Emilia-Romagna (Northern Italy) and document companies' perceived benefits. DESIGN: cross-sectional study conducted in May-July 2024. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 32 companies among the 200 largest companies in Emilia-Romagna, identified through the regional Chamber of Commerce. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: the questionnaire covered four domains: active mobility, healthy eating, physical activity, and prevention initiatives, as well as companies' perceived effects of wellness programmes. RESULTS: each company was contacted both via email and via telephone; 150 were successfully reached and 32 completed the questionnaire (response rate: 21%). Among the participating companies (N. 32), 14 (44%) promoted active mobility initiatives, 26 (81%) offered healthy eating options, 6 (19%) provided in-house gyms, and 15 (47%) supported preventive health assessments. Among the 17 companies reporting positive organisational effects, 70% cited an improved working climate, 65% reported better employee health, 60% perceived greater corporate attractiveness, whereas only 22% reported perceived productivity gains. Nearly half of the companies (15; 47%) expressed willingness to expand wellness initiatives if supported by public policies or incentives. CONCLUSIONS: corporate wellness practices are widespread among large companies in Emilia-Romagna, though perceived productivity effects remain limited. The descriptive nature of the study, the modest sample size, and the potential non-response bias recommend caution, but findings highlight opportunities for policy support and low-cost wellness interventions.