The most basic changes will come at the level of individual wellness. Folks might not see a doctor but rather a type of "health coach" who responds to vital statistics sent through a biomonitor, says Clement Bezold, president of the Alexandria-based Institute for Alternative Futures, a consulting group that helps businesses and communities prepare for changes ahead.

Beginning this month, participants were invited to be part of Health Calls, a free intervention program designed to eliminate the risky behaviors. 'They can work on any of the risk factors they are ready to change,' Napier said. The intervention is done over the phone, and each employee is assigned a personal health coach. The coach will call the person eight times over a three-to-six-month period to discuss problems or successes. Think of them as fitness cheerleaders, or personal health nags.

In addition, Harper's husband, Tony Cacciotti, her former weight-loss and health coach, also received substantial compensation and a supervising producer credit on the show, although various witnesses for Lorimar have claimed that he did not have enough television experience to warrant the title.