Non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease account for 7 of every 10 deaths in the U.S., according to the U.S. State Department. These are often called “lifestyle diseases” because, to some extent, they can be prevented by lifestyle behaviors and changes.
One thing is certain—America has become much more sedentary over the decades. Millions of American adults sit behind desks every day at work, and many schools have gone so far as to remove physical education programs altogether, in favor of increasing kids’ academic load. This, along with an overabundance of processed foods, snacks, and fast food has created the “perfect storm” for declining health in America.
Corporate Wellness Programs Make a Difference
There is evidence to suggest that corporate wellness programs pay off for both employees and their employers. When workers are healthier, insurance costs decrease, as do costs from lost productivity. A study cited on healthaffairs.org noted that for every dollar spent on wellness programs, medical costs fell by $3.27, while absenteeism costs fell by $2.73 for every dollar spent on wellness.
Some employers are taking a pro-active approach to employee health by instituting workplace wellness programs that include things like seminars, fitness center memberships, and healthy cooking demonstrations. Some companies offer financial incentives to employees who get fit and improve their overall health.
Insurance companies have begun jumping on the wellness bandwagon—Aetna Inc., for example, offers wellness allowances to larger companies that range in size, depending on the size of the company, as reported in a chicagobusiness.com article.
The late 20th and 21st centuries have brought many challenges in terms of national and global health. Infectious diseases are no longer the primary cause of illness and death in industrialized nations, having been replaced by non-communicable (and often preventable) diseases. Instituting workplace wellness programs is one of the ways we can start taking control of our national health and the financial burden of an unhealthy populace.