Bureau of Business Research to assist with health care survey

A woman stands to the left with two men wearing suit jackets standing to her right. They are in front of a white and blue backdrop. — Dr. Jason Rowe, right, and the Bureau of Business Research will work with Dr. Krystal Cox and Ryan Simmons on the Business Healthcare Landscape survey. (Contributed photo)

This fall, the Wilson Chamber of Commerce is partnering with ECU’s Bureau of Business Research (BBR) to launch the inaugural Business Healthcare Landscape Survey across communities in Wilson.

Dr. Jason Rowe, director of the BBR, and Dr. Christine Kowalczyk will lead ECU’s efforts on the survey. Rowe and Kowalczyk will work with Ryan Simons, president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Krystal Cox, vice president of community impact at the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson.

Over 500 businesses across Wilson County will receive an invitation to participate in the survey, which is designed to provide detailed insights into current benefits packages among employers in the county. The survey will collect data points including the types of health coverage offered, scope and quality of wellness benefits and comparative data regarding competitive benefits in the county.

“I’m excited to be working with ECU on this important initiative for our community,” Simons said. “I expect the data we collect will give us critical insight into the competitiveness of our market, and how businesses are caring for their employees through health and wellness benefits. We’re also hopeful that the information we gather will allow our health care community to be more responsive to the needs of our workforce, resulting in improved health outcomes for everyone in Wilson County.”

Findings from the survey will benefit the greater Wilson community in several ways. First, research results will deliver baseline information on employee health insurance coverage and wellness benefits to help health care providers optimize care and resource allocation. The survey will provide data-driven insights, allowing companies to adjust their benefits packages as needed to attract and retain top talent. In addition, policymakers will also benefit from a clearer picture of the local health benefits landscape. Results from the survey are expected in early 2026.