Sure, you know that smoking, overeating, and lack of exercise aren’t healthy. But did you realize the effect these behaviors can have on your budget as well as the financial wellbeing of your employer?
At the Kentucky Economic Summit in July, Wellsteps CEO Steven Aldana’s presentation on wellness in the workplace made the connection between lifestyle choices we make every day and the downslide of the economy. Aldana maintains that while several factors can be blamed for the U.S. recession, the outrageous cost of disease care in our country has caused some corporations to fail or move to other countries.
Aldana presented some interesting statistics, including that within nine years, 20 percent of money produced in the U.S will go to pay for healthcare. We have by far the highest healthcare costs in the world, but that isn’t making us healthier. In fact, we have the highest infant mortality rate among developing countries, and more than two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese.
On average, 25 percent of employees have a chronic disease; that 25 percent of the workforce accounts for 85 percent of a company’s costs. An overwhelming majority of these chronic diseases are completely preventable: 71 percent of cancers, 70 percent of stroke, 82 percent of heart disease, and 91 percent of Type II diabetes are the direct result of poor lifestyle choices. Not only do these diseases raise healthcare costs, but they increase absenteeism (which is costly to a company), workers compensation, and short-term disability.
How can you make better choices to improve the financial situation for your family and ensure the success of your company? Begin with a few simple steps:
-Begin taking family walks every day. It’s a great, FREE way to relieve stress and spend time together while getting fresh air a physical activity.
-Try adding a vegetable or fruit at each meal. Toss extra veggies on a sandwich or throw some berries in your cereal or oatmeal.
-Trade white flour products for those made with whole grains.
-Prepare meals and snacks ahead of time and keep some with you to avoid the temptation of the drive-thru.
-Use spices and herbs to flavor your food instead of fats and creams to help your waistline as well as lower cholesterol.
-Do some sort of physical activity most days of the week. Little changes can add up!
- Read the F2BT blog regularly for more tips and ideas (shameless plug, sorry!).
Changing your habits isn’t easy, but healthier lifestyle can add 10-20 high quality years to your life. Try incorporating just one of these tips every day for a week, then add the next one. You can’t afford not to!
- albledsoe
[...] Prediction No. 1 forecasts an increased focus on prevention. I definitely agree, especially in light of the recession and the push for healthcare reform. I think many employers and insurance companies are finally making the association between obesity/preventable diseases and rising healthcare costs. [...]