Prevention is a strategy for success when it comes to ill health
“The UK is facing a longer-term, and more widespread, rise in economic inactivity due to long-term sickness,” the Resolution Foundation warned in February 2023.
Bupa UK’s Chief People and Procurement Officer, Tom Hoosen-Webber, is aware of the figures. He says: “Record numbers of Britons are dropping out of the workforce because of poor health, more employees are living with chronic illness and waiting times for healthcare are getting longer.
“Protecting the health of your people has never been more important.”
Economic implications
A recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research warned that good health is “a crucial determinant of our economic prospects, both individually and at a national level”.
Long-term sickness cost the UK economy £43bn in lost earnings in 2021, equivalent to around 2% of GDP. An additional £7bn was taken out of the economy by lost production.
Hoosen-Webber adds: “As more people drop out of the labour market, or reduce their hours, this will also add to the pressure on businesses seeking to recruit and retain talent.”
Understanding the issues
“Meeting this challenge will require a deeper understanding of the issues driving poor health, workplace interventions to support employee wellbeing, and having strategies to help people with long-term illness stay in work,” Hoosen-Webber says.
There are now 2.5 million people not in work due to long-term health problems — a 25% jump since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Office of National Statistics (ONS) data also shows where support can be targeted more effectively. The biggest rise in illness — 41% — was seen in ‘other conditions’ and some of this is likely to be Long Covid as this was not captured separately.
As the figures reflect what was happening early in the pandemic, this is likely to rise. It is estimated that 1.3 million people in the UK have Covid-19-related health issues which have persisted for at least a year.
Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle pain and breathlessness were the most common challenges reported. These can all affect the ability to work and perform.
This was followed by musculoskeletal issues affecting the back or neck, rising 31%. Hoosen-Webber says: “It’s likely that working from home has contributed to this as many employees do not have a dedicated workspace and an ergonomically sound set-up.”
There has also been an increase in the number of people not working due to long-term mental illness, with a rise of 22%. ONS data shows a 24% increase in mental illness, phobias and nervous disorders in 16 to 34-year-olds.
Hoosen-Webber adds: “Our ageing population is another ongoing challenge and illness is an inevitable part of ageing and a significant proportion of the labour market now has at least one chronic health condition.” Research from the University College London found that 34% of adults aged 46 to 48 have multiple chronic health problems.
Although illnesses are an inevitable part of ageing, lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of activity and obesity all affect the ageing population and increase the risks of people stopping working.
Cancer Research Statistics show that 63% of adults in the UK are overweight or obese, which can be linked to an increased risk of21 major diseases, according to a recent study in The Lancet. Hoosen-Webber says: “The relentless rise in rates of obesity is clearly a factor driving the increase in long-term illness.”
It’s also reported that low mood is associated with a 57% increased risk of weight problems, and people with obesity have a 55% increased risk of depression.
“Even modest weight loss can yield meaningful benefits, so there is a clear incentive for employers to promote and support healthier lifestyles. Screening and regular checks also ensures the early diagnosis and treatment of any potential issues,” Hoosen-Webber says.
Support reduces risk
“Providing the right employee support reduces the impact of mental ill-health, musculoskeletal problems, obesity and many of the health issues driving the rise in long-term illness,” Hoosen-Webber adds.
With the largest relative rise in long-term illness (42%) seen in those aged 25 to 34 — an important age when many are more seriously planning, starting, and establishing their careers – the ONS data should be a wake-up call.
Hoosen-Webber concludes: “The dividends in terms of talent retention, better engagement and increased productivity underline the strong business case for taking a proactive and preventative approach.”
For more on how supporting health in the workplace can benefit your organisation, take a look at the full article here.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, Bupa
Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
