Companies that invest in their employees’ health contribute to the success of their organization. Empowering employees to be proactive about their health helps employers cultivate a more engaged, productive workforce.
Preventive care screening offers workers an accurate snapshot of their overall well-being, which enables them to make informed decisions to benefit their long-term health. When employees manage their health effectively, they take fewer sick days and are more engaged at work. But only 8% of adults seek preventive care.
Employees who don’t know their current health status can’t take steps to prevent future health complications. Most people don’t realize they have underlying health conditions if the symptoms are silent; they’re often diagnosed after the disease progresses.
By that time, the symptoms may contribute to increased absenteeism, as well as presenteeism – when workers clock in but aren’t functioning at their full potential because they’re distracted by their health. Absenteeism and presenteeism decrease employee productivity levels, affecting a company’s bottom line.
Why is preventive care important, even when people feel fine?
Screening tests provide hidden details about their health, revealing conditions before they cause complications. Most adults in the United States are at increased risk for at least one chronic disease, but half of them don’t know it. For every 100 American adults:
- 53 have elevated blood cholesterol
- 33 have elevated blood pressure
- 10 have type 2 diabetes
People who get preventive health screenings regularly can make relevant, informed healthcare decisions for themselves. Those who manage their health are less likely to be surprised by flare-ups of chronic conditions or health emergencies, which can be costly financially and from a productivity standpoint.
Offering employees preventive care may inspire them to shift their mindset about their health. They may consider their overall well-being on an ongoing basis, instead of only when they’re sick.
In the face of rising healthcare costs, encouraging employees to manage their health is a way for employers to keep their costs down.
Barriers to preventive care lead to a “sick care” mentality
Commonly cited reasons why workers don’t seek annual wellness visits include:
- The inconvenience of seeing a clinician during business hours
- Feeling healthy and not thinking about their overall health
- Negative feelings about visiting doctors
- Concerns about health insurance
- Fear of getting negative health news
- The time commitment required to go to the appointment
Employees who skip preventive care typically wait until they’re sick before they see a doctor. But a “sick care” mentality keeps them from being proactive about their health. Workers who are at risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases can’t manage their risk factors unless they know their health profile.
A “sick care” mentality may have financial consequences. Individuals with chronic diseases spend, on average, $6,032 annually for healthcare costs, five times more than the amount that people without chronic conditions spend.
People with chronic conditions may need more money during retirement to cover greater out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Employees who seek preventive care and make educated decisions about their health spend less money on healthcare costs over a lifetime.
Managing self-care with preventive care is better for employee and employer health
When workers seek preventive care annually, it benefits their overall health, as well as their employers’ financial health. When employees learn about health risks and are diagnosed with chronic conditions early on, they can better manage their health, reducing the risk of complications.
By investing in employee preventive care initiatives, companies strive to build a healthier workforce, decrease the number of sick days that workers take, increase company productivity levels, boost employee morale and reduce company-wide healthcare costs.
How employers can encourage employees to seek preventive care
The AZOVA HEALTHBOX® Virtual Preventive Exam is designed to offer employees a simple way to check their health indicators from home. The risk assessments, preventive lab tests,and analysis are designed to improve their overall health and reduce the cost of patient care.
The HEALTHBOX® informs employees about their risk factors so they may adopt healthy lifestyle changes to reduce their risk. It also helps identify key health concerns early, so that workers may seek chronic disease management before they develop complications.
Employees seeking proactive support have the option to see a virtual care consultant, who can interpret their exam results. When employers partner with their workers this way, it can be an empowering way for employees to manage their health.
See the HEALTHBOX® Virtual Preventive Exam in action. Schedule a free demo today.
