US companies are known for their well thought-out health-promotion concepts. Different studies have shown the effectiveness and cost efficiency of workplace health promotion programs. In this context, the AOK Hessen conducted a literature review. This article presents to the reader the key instruments of the American health-promotion concepts: health-risk assessment and individual health counselling according to the trans-theoretical model. Evaluation studies of the mainly behaviour-oriented programs of workplace health promotion from the US are analysed. It was found that especially intervention which focuses on employees with high risk factors is effective and provides a positive returnon-investment.