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Many companies striving to be good corporate citizens today face an internal tug of war between giving attention to community initiatives that address social problems and the growing demand to make environmental issues paramount.
America’s health is an issue for business
By Vesela Veleva, Research Manager, Boston College Center
Last month United Health Foundation released the 20th anniversary edition of its signature research “America’s Health Rankings”. The study analyzes the health status of the U.S. population by state and ranks all 50 states. It provides important benchmarking information as well as tools and tips for taking action on improving our nation’s health.
So which states made it to the top and which to the bottom? According to the study, Vermont, Utah and Massachusetts topped the list and Alabama, Oklahoma and Mississippi were at the bottom (for a full list of all states and the complete report go to www.americashealthrankings.org).
While the study considers a whole range of determinants of health (e.g., smoking, drinking, violent crime, air pollution, lack of health insurance, income, unemployment rate, prenatal care and immunizations), the top two risk factors for death and disease in the United States were found to be smoking and obesity.
Despite the 38 percent decline in smoking prevalence between 1990 and 2009, still one in five Americans smokes. Obesity has emerged as the fastest growing risk factor linked to heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Today almost 27 percent of Americans are obese compared to almost 12 percent in 1990. Particularly worrisome is the growing obesity among children. According to estimates in the study, the United States now spends $80 billion on direct health care costs associated with obesity. Of the $2.4 trillion in annual health care expenditures in the United States $1.8 trillion is associated with the treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. If left unchecked obesity will continue to grow and account to more than 21 percent of health care spending in 2018 alone, according to the study.
With health care reform efforts under way it is becoming even more important to address the issue of health care costs and focus on disease prevention. Otherwise we all will have to pay the costs which are already significant for many companies and individuals. Every 30 seconds someone in the United States files for bankruptcy as a result of a serious health problem and associated costs. Many companies are reducing health benefits to cut costs and maintain competitiveness.
The web site features tips and tools to help everyone — from individuals to elected officials — make a difference, including a section on how companies can encourage healthier behaviors in the workplace.
I see two ways that companies can work to help improve the health of their employees:
- Promote individual health education and action: By offering training and education as well as financial incentives, such as smoking cessation bonuses or gym membership discounts, companies can help improve their employees’ awareness of the importance of healthy diet and exercise. Studies have found that simply going for a walk or doing yoga during a lunch break can significantly improve employee morale and productivity, in addition to relieving muscle tension, back pain and stress.
- Improve employees’ work environment: While occupational fatalities were considered in the AHRs, there are other occupational factors that can affect employees’ health and wellbeing. For example, we know today that up to 40 percent of cancers are work-related. Simple improvements in the work environment can have significant benefits for employers. According to research by Peter Crawley, director of the Sustainable Business Leader Program, good day-lighting can increase productivity by 13 percent and retail sales by 40 percent. Improved ventilation can increase productivity by 4 to 17 percent and reduce employee absenteeism by 35 percent. At the end of the AHR report the National Business Coalition for Health and Partnership for Prevention provides additional recommendations on what employers can do to improve employee health and wellbeing.
There are many determinants of health that we are just beginning to understand today – ranging from toxic chemicals in consumer products, to prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors, stress and electromagnetic radiation. The future will bring greater understanding of the various determinants of health but companies can act today to address the top two risk factors now known – smoking and obesity – and thus save money in the long run while having a healthier, happier and more productive work force.
What do you think about America’s Health Rankings? Does your company have any programs in place to improve employees’ health and wellbeing? If yes, have you seen and/or measured the business benefits of such programs?
