Sep
11
Written by:
Dr. Cherniawski
9/11/2008 11:00 AM
American employees are sick, overweight, and in pain. As a result, they are easily injured, miss days from work, and are less productive.
Even though the United States spends the most money worldwide on medication and surgical intervention, its citizens continue to suffer in increasing numbers. And who picks up the brunt of the tab? Employers. Over the years, employer insurance premiums have risen drastically. In fact, the NCHC notes that in 2005 employer premiums rose nearly 3 times the rate of inflation! Employers are now realizing that it is their profits being lost and that to help their bottom line, they must help their employees get healthy.
The good news is that the causes of 80% of employee health problems, namely being overweight, unmanaged stress, and repetitive motion disorders, can be addressed to reduce healthcare costs.
First, while a normal-weight employee costs a company $114, an over-weight employee costs $513, and an obese employee costs $620 per year. To solve this problem, employers must implement a workable weight loss program. While diet and exercise work temporarily for some, the majority of employees would greatly benefit from a cleansing approach to weight loss. Cleansing is a safe, rapid way to lose weight. In addition, the weight loss is much easier to maintain that weight lost from diet and exercise alone.
Second, stress and its effect on the adrenal glands greatly contributes to an array of health problems including sleeping problems, fatigue, high blood pressure, decreased immunity, digestive problems, and blood sugar regulation problems. To solve this problem, employers must screen its employees for stress related adrenal gland problems, and when indicated, implement nutrition and supplementation programs to help their employees better handle the physical consequences of stress on their bodies.
Third, preventing on-the-job injuries by reducing repetitive motion disorders is the last component to improving employee health and reducing healthcare expenditures. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, carpal tunnel caused primarily by computer work, is the most frequent and the most costly repetitive motion injury accounting for the longest time from work and more than $20,000 in benefits if surgery was required. To solve this problem, an effective ergonomics and stretch program must be implemented to keep employees productive and prevent injury.
A good corporate wellness program will address problems related to being overweight, unmanaged stress, and repetitive motion disorders. It will engage employees, show them how to naturally, safely, and effectively handle their health problems, and teach them how live a healthy life to prevent future problems. And, it will SAVE AN EMPLOYER MONEY by reducing the overall cost of healthcare.
References: American Journal of Health Behavior, July/August 2003; WebMD Health, September 5, 2003; National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, as quoted in Chiropractic Products, February 1997; The NIH Word on Health, October 2000; Associated Press Published April 24, 2007; National Coalition on Healthcare Cost, “Health Insurance Cost”.