Employers can stay one step ahead of looming health crisis
Employers could soon be dealing with a damaging trend that is behind the growing sickness at work numbers, according to research by Bluecrest Wellness.
Last month at the REBA Congress, the company introduced its whitepaper titled Prevention: A New Frontier for Wellbeing.
It sheds light on the silent damage caused by underlying health issues within the UK workforce, highlighting a widespread reluctance to act on symptoms and the resulting detrimental impact on societal health.
Bluecrest’s chief medical officer, Dr Martin Thornton and CEO, Dominique Kent emphasised the critical role employers can play in reversing this trend, advocating for their employees' health now and in the future, with health assessments at the heart of this evolution.
“Your employees already have a long-term condition or are going to get one soon,” Dr Thornton said at the congress.
NHS data indicates that 50% of individuals aged 55-64 have at least one long-term condition. Surprisingly, long-term conditions are not confined to older workers. More than 30% of those aged 35-44 are also managing chronic health issues.
Root causes of sickness at work
In 2022, minor illnesses emerged as the leading cause of workplace sickness, closely followed by conditions such as diabetes and Covid-19.
One condition often precipitates another, according to Dr Thornton. For instance, obesity can lead to depression, creating a cascade of health issues.
Many of these conditions, particularly minor illnesses, are preventable. UK Government statistics (2022) reveal that 40% of NHS costs are spent on treating preventable diseases.
Despite the preventability of many health issues, Bluecrest’s whitepaper found that people tend not to act upon symptoms when they first appear. Instead, a significant majority continue working while unwell.
A startling 77% of people admitted to working despite feeling unwell, and while 56% of individuals reported feeling tired or run down in the past three months, only 29% sought medical advice.
Reluctance to seek medical help
This reluctance to consult a GP is pervasive and are often blamed on the difficulty of securing an appointment or feeling that symptoms are not severe enough.
The whitepaper noted a gender disparity at this point. It found that six out of ten (59%) women compared with 44% of men were reluctant to book a GP appointment.
These vague symptoms need to be taken seriously, warned Dr Thornton. They can lead to serious problems if left unchecked.
The role of health assessments
Companies such as Bluecrest can provide health assessments which can reveal these bespoke markers and valuable insights into a person's health.
From there, customers are able to take control of their health and identify any issues that need to be addressed.
Dominique Kent said that while some people might receive critical results necessitating immediate action, most will find that they need to make simple lifestyle changes to prevent long-term conditions from developing.
The preventive approach
“We need to spot signs and symptoms instead of conditions once they've taken hold,” said Kent advocating a proactive approach to health monitoring.
To inspire this shift from a culture of treatment to one of prevention, a combination of tests and wellbeing advice is crucial.
There is growing recognition of the value of prevention in the workplace. According to Bluecrest’s whitepaper, 86% of people expressed interest in gaining insights into their health through health assessments.
The top reasons for this interest include:
- Peace of mind
- Early identification of health risks
- Early detection of life-threatening diseases
In summary, the Bluecrest whitepaper underscores the urgent need for a shift in how health is managed within the workforce.
By embracing health assessments and fostering a preventive health culture, employers can play a pivotal role in enhancing their employees’ long-term wellbeing.
Key takeaways
- Investing in health assessments demonstrates a commitment to employees’ wellbeing, potentially leading to reduced absenteeism and increased productivity
- Tailored health assessments provide bespoke health insights, enabling employees to take proactive measures tailored to their unique health profiles
- Encouraging a preventive health culture can shift the focus from treating illnesses to maintaining overall health and preventing conditions before they develop
- Offering health assessments supports employees in managing their long-term health, contributing to a healthier, more engaged workforce.
In partnership with Bluecrest Wellness
Bluecrest Wellness offers high-quality health screenings.
