SummaryCorporate wellness programs are on the rise for many American employers. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, sedentary behavior, poor diet, obesity and stress are responsible for more than the premature deaths reported each year. Additionally, chronic diseases are prevalent among one-third of working-age Americans, accounting for more than 75% of the nation's annual health care costs. The ever-increasing healthcare costs have had a huge impact on employers. According to the Udall-Bono Healthy Workforce Bill Offers Biz Significant Tax Breaks report (2007), in 2006, total annual health care spending was estimated at $2.2 trillion, while average employer medical costs increased by 72 percent between 2002 and 2006. healthcare spending is estimated at $3.6 trillion. In turn, corporate wellness programs are implemented to help create a healthier workforce and reduce employer healthcare costs through wellness promotion and disease prevention. This article will discuss the background, regulation, and future direction of corporate wellness programs. Summary The leading cause of death among Americans in the early 20th century was infectious diseases. However, since the early 1990s, this health problem has transformed into an even more serious problem: an unhealthy lifestyle. Diseases such as heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type II diabetes, cancer, and obesity are leading causes of death among Americans in today's society. Additionally, health care costs have increased for employers, resulting in billions of dollars in expenses each year. For example, in 2001, cardiovascular disease caused more than $129 billion in lost productivity. middle of paper......07. Flight. 07, Ess. 10; p. 1. Retrieved November 4, 2007 from the ProQuest database. Lucuski, C. (September 2007). Preventative medicine and wellness programs are essential to reducing health care costs. New Jersey Affairs. Flight. 53, Iss. 9; p. 60. Retrieved October 17, 2007 from the ProQuest database. Mochari, Ilan. (February 22, 2005). Can encouraging employees to live a healthy lifestyle help keep the bottom line in good shape? CFO Magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2007, from: http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/3664958Udall-Bono Healthy Workforce Bill Provides Significant Tax Breaks for Businesses. Retrieved November 4, 2007 from: http://www.tomudall.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=313&Itemid=1U.S. Corporate Wellness, Inc. ROI-based analysis of employee wellness programs. (nd) Retrieved October 17, 2007 from: http://uscorporatewellness.com/USCW%20-%20White%20Paper%20(ROI%20Analysis).pdf