Increasing healthcare awareness to reduce costs

Health care awareness may be a new business trend, but its one of the most important trends that has hit a growing population of chronically unhealthy Americans. The slowing economy has cost thousands of people their jobs and even more a loss in benefits, including health insurance and sick leave.

Every year almost 22 million days of lost work are accumulated in the United States. Previously effective health care cost management such as adjusting deductibles and increasing employee contributions are no longer satisfying the need for positive bottom lines in today's challenging economy. Employers can help themselves and their employees with some simple steps to improve the overall health and well being of their office staff.
One concept that has been increasingly popular in recent years is wellness programs. Employers used to balk at the thought of upfront costs for long-term savings, but as health care costs continue to rise to all-time highs and no one has seen the ceiling yet, over 80 percent of employers with more than 50 employees have added at least some form of wellness program into their workplace:

• Encourage use of sick time: For a minimal cost to the company, suggest employees stay home when they are sick, and support that policy. Employees who feel like they will not face discipline for taking time off when sick are more willing to use it sparingly and appropriately. The risk of infecting coworkers with colds and flu viruses is not worth the limited work a sick employee will accomplish by coming in.

• Health Awareness: Many employers offer yearly health fairs to teach employees about healthy lifestyles and training on preventing illness in the workplace. Vendors can educate employees on nutrition, diabetes, obesity, smoking cessation and many other preventable, but very serious health conditions. The added cost will be minimal compared to the hours lost by sick employees.
• Disinfect: Provide employees with an effective and convenient means of disinfecting their workspace. Disinfect everything that is touched regularly. Clean telephones, light switches, doorknobs, filing cabinets, keyboard and break areas frequently. Encourage washing hands regularly and the use of hand antiseptics. Viruses spread through the air and by touching any surface so minimizing the amount of germs on common areas will increase the health of your workplace.
• Emotional health of employees: Once a conversation not suitable in the corporate world, mental health is getting more attention as a real issue. Employers are extending their mental health services as research points to the increased costs associated with not dealing with common mood disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. It's easier to find employers who offer employee assistance programs that include on-call counselors, stress relief and grief recovery programs.
• Exercise and eat right: Encourage employees to participate in sponsored exercise programs or join a health club. Many athletic clubs offer reduced rates to employers who have multiple contracts. If you provide snacks at company sponsored meetings, choose healthy alternatives and have water readily available for your employees. Healthy employees equal less sickness in the office.
• Expect your employees to participate. Leading by example is a great way to encourage healthy living among employees. Having a management team member lead the program is a perfect way to show employees that you "walk the walk" when it comes to protecting their health and the health of others.

While it used to be considered the government's responsibility to make sure people stayed healthy through education and awareness, many employers are now moving towards the trend of protecting and preventing within so they can proactively maintain healthy, positive employees. Small, inexpensive additions can be brought inside the workplace to increase health, awareness and productivity and employers are seeing these lifestyle changes also increase their bottom line financially.