Merck's Integrated Health Management department works closely with the Global Benefits department to provide a wide range of health and wellness services and programs.

These offerings cover the continuum of care, for those who are well to those at risk, those with acute or chronic illness, and those requiring complex or catastrophic care. Many of these services and programs are provided at on-site employee health clinics or through programs offered by vendors in conjunction with Merck's benefits coverage. Health services and programs available to Merck employees inlcude:

Our Website

Merck offers a health and wellness website to U.S.-based employees and their dependents, which features a health assessment, online interactive health tools and information, health coaching programs and more. The web site is designed to raise awareness about health issues and motivate employees to manage and improve their health and well-being. It includes topical health summaries based on scientific evidence and links to reliable health care information. After completing the online health assessment, an employee immediately receives a customized report that summarizes his or her health status and offers suggestions for personal goal-setting. Anyone who takes the assessment and wants to work on an identified health risk has access to a lifestyle coach, who provides advice and encouragement and monitors progress regularly. Participation in the health assessment and other programs is voluntary and confidential.

On-site

Many Merck clinics offer employees the opportunity for lipid, blood glucose and other laboratory services, including blood collection ordered by a personal physician. To support new mothers returning to work, clinics offer worksite lactation programs. "Lunch and learn" programs and site-based wellness activities, including walking and weight-reduction programs, are available. Many clinics also coordinate blood drives in conjunction with community blood programs.

Cafeteria Collaboration

What we eat and drink affects our daily physical and mental well-being and our longer-term health and resilience. To contribute to a healthy work culture, Merck works with our on-site food vendor at most U.S. Merck facilities to increase the availability and visibility of healthy food choices and to raise awareness about proper nutrition. Employees also receive discounts for healthy food purchases. In addition, many Merck sites globally have cafeterias that offer healthy food options and nutrition education.

Fitness Centers

Merck offers access to on-site fitness centers at several large U.S. facilities, as well as at other Merck/MSD facilities around the world. In the U.S., professional fitness managers organize programs and events to encourage employees to eat well, manage their weight, exercise and participate in various fitness challenges and other special events.

Occupational Health

As a global organization, Merck has several different operating divisions and work assignments-each with its own range of requirements. Particular work assignments may involve potential exposure to one or more occupational hazards, such as noise, mixtures of chemicals, and biological compounds. Merck maintains a continuing and concerted effort to assess and control workplace hazards (chemical, biological and physical) and to ensure that each employee's work assignment is safe and consistent with his or her evaluated capabilities. Occupational health programs are developed and implemented based on identified health risks and applicable regulatory requirements. In the event that an employee does become injured or ill while performing his or her job, we have programs in place for treatment and rehabilitation.

Work-related Injury and Illness Management

Merck's Integrated Health Management professionals are clinically trained and dedicated to providing efficient and effective quality health care for employees who become injured or ill as a result of their work. They advise and coordinate health care with providers or agencies to ensure a smooth treatment-and-recovery process, while complying with both company and applicable regulatory record-keeping requirements.

Acute Episodic Health Care

Most Integrated Health Management clinics provide non-work-related, acute, episodic health care, including the diagnosis and treatment of minor nonoccupational illnesses or injuries, health maintenance counseling and appropriate referral to specialty services.

Disease Management

In March 2009, Merck launched a voluntary disease management program that offers confidential professional support for ongoing treatment and care for most U.S. employees and their dependents with specific medical conditions. The goal is to help individuals achieve optimal health by providing evidence-based medical information and self-care guidance.

Treatment Decision Support

In 2010, Merck launched a voluntary care management program that offers U.S.-based employees and their dependents access to expert second opinions for complex or critical illnesses, or options regarding the need for surgical or nonsurgical treatments and procedures. The goal is to provide a full range of options that will enable employees to make the most informed decisions about their course of therapy.

Disability Management

Our Integrated Health Management Group works with external vendors in the U.S. to develop and implement short- and long-term disability management and return-to-work policies and programs. Optimizing the health and productivity of our employees is a key goal of these efforts.

Business Travel Program

Merck is concerned about the health and safety of our employees who travel on business, especially to international locations. Integrated Health Management maintains up-to-date information about infectious diseases that are prevalent in all countries and their required immunizations. Business travelers are given information on health conditions in the country of their destination, along with a traveler's guide, a travel kit containing over-the-counter medications they may need while traveling, any required immunizations, and an international emergency travel-assistance card. Employees may also consult with an Integrated Health Management-licensed healthcare provider for specific travel-related prescription medications that may be needed during travel, possible preventive medical care prior to departure, the availability of medical care in the country of destination, and the possibility of medical care after return, as needed.

Annual Flu Shots and Pandemic Flu Planning

Most Merck sites around the world offer annual flu shots to their employees. In the United States, Integrated Health Management offers annual flu shots at no cost to employees at site-based employee health clinics. In addition, with guidance from Integrated Health Management, most Merck sites have developed site-specific pandemic flu preparedness plans, employing a variety of countermeasures that focus on heightened awareness and tactical procedures. With the outbreak of the H1N1 ("swine flu") virus in early 2009, Merck mobilized a cross-functional corporate team to develop and deliver key documents and specific response recommendations to Merck's site leaders, managers, and Environmental Health and Safety professionals.

HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Workplace Policy

Merck recognizes that infectious diseases represent major healthcare burdens worldwide and pose an unprecedented challenge to people around the globe, including Merck employees, their families and the communities in which we operate. Three diseases alone–HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria–are pandemics responsible today for approximately half of infectious disease mortality. These diseases impose a significant and destabilizing social, economic and health burden on nations, communities and families, especially when there is inadequate access to treatment. The company believes that all of our employees should have access to prevention, care and treatment for HIV and AIDS, TB and malaria. Since 2005, we have had in place a corporate policy to provide benefits to our employees where local access to HIV, TB and malaria prevention, care and treatment is inadequate.

Smoking Policies

The majority of Merck sites around the world have either a no-smoking policy or a smoke/tobacco-free policy in place. These policies send a strong message that Merck is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and to protecting its employees and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco.

Automatic External Defibrillator Program and Emergency Response

At many Merck sites, on-site clinic staff responds to medical emergencies while also working with volunteers who help as responders. Integrated Health Management provides direct oversight for automatic external defibrillators and associated training, located at many of the Merck sites in the U.S.

Vaccinations

Merck's on-site clinics in the United States, as well as many around the world, offer both occupational vaccinations (including travel-related vaccinations) and nonoccupational vaccinations (for such diseases as pneumonia, shingles, and cervical cancer) to employees.

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