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John DuBois, University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

The Alliance for Health Reform joined forces Monday with the AARP and manufacturer Johnson & Johnson to promote workplace wellness programs.

The wellness programs are aimed at encouraging employees to live healthier lives, which should lower premiums and overall costs.

AARP supports workplace wellness with “Policies and services at the worksite to adress: Tobacco use, nutrition in cafeterias and vending machines, minimizing stress and promoting positive mental health and encouragement, physical activity before, during and after work hours,” said Vice President of Social Impact for AARP Nancy LeaMond.

Johnson & Johnson’s programs include online risk assessment, lifestyle and disease management counseling, mental health and well-being and health education awareness. Johnson & Johnson also doesn’t allow smoking on premises world-wide.

‘‘Johnson & Johnson’s credo is to have the world’s healthiest workforce,” said Vice President of health policy at Johnson & Johnson Kathy Buto.

“Firms want a healthier and more productive work force and they want lower health insurance costs and they think these programs can accomplish both of these goals,” said Board Member of the Alliance for Health Reform Ed Howard Howard.