Why prevention is about more than just wellbeing benefits
With the UK health burden still growing, effective preventative healthcare needs to be about more than incorporating additional wellbeing services that simply encourage people to eat better or remind them they need to exercise.
With 88% of preventable disease in the UK due to modifiable risks such as lack of exercise or poor nutrition, commitment to preventative healthcare must start with lifestyle factors.
The public are regularly told they need to eat better or do more exercise, but habits and behavioural biases can hold people back, so it’s important employers do more to help people lead healthier lives.
By offering a programme built around a combination of nudges and incentives, organisations can initiate behaviour change within workplaces.
After one year, Vitality data shows members record a 27% fall in consumption of fatty food and a 22% increase in physical activity. Almost 90% of members who engage reach the recommended weekly exercise guidelines, compared with 61% of the general population.
All this leads to a decreased risk of hospitalisation for the most active members. Furthermore, analysis of VitalityHealth claims between 2017 and 2021 showed up to 46% lower claims costs for highly engaged members.
Prevention and early intervention
Early intervention and the clinical side of employer-led health cover is also key when it comes to prevention.
This is less about preventing the onset of disease, but more about identifying and treating illness as early as possible.
When it comes to lifestyle health factors, annual health MOT checks can give employees a clearer picture of their health and areas that may need improvement.
In-depth health screenings that check a wider range of health markers are also valuable, especially at a time when access to primary care is limited. They can even be lifesaving.
At a clinical level, screening for conditions like cancer is also important for disease management and identification.
This is an area where private health insurance can provide powerful, evidence-based services to employees, increasingly using technology to improve access and drive down costs.
Effective early intervention for mental health conditions can also offer appropriate treatment at a much earlier stage.
Treatment, care and rehabilitation
When an employee is diagnosed with an illness or is undergoing treatment, we can also support them to live in a way that affords them the best chance of survival and to help prevent reoccurrence.
For illnesses such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes, it’s important that, as well as treating the condition, employers address an employee’s overall health and wellbeing holistically.
Aside from reducing the likelihood of a claim arising, the individual being in good health will also have a significant impact on the chances of a successful outcome.
Personalising prevention
It’s also vital we don’t simply offer a one-size-fits-all approach, when it comes to supporting an individual’s lifestyle. Personalisation is key.
For example, using the data from a Vitality member’s annual Health Review drives its ‘Next Best Action’ initiative. By taking a more targeted approach based on an individual’s situation, it offers a tailored approach to tackle risks such as diabetes, obesity or smoking.
By empowering people to better understand their own health, employers can drive big improvements. Of those members enrolled a ‘Next Best Action’ programme, almost half lost at least 4% of their body weight, 10% reversed their diabetes and 47% stopped smoking2.
This is about recognising the impact that a preventative based approach can have both on an individual, the health of an organisation and our nation as a whole.
A fully preventative and personalised approach to healthcare - before, during and after claim – that drives positive behaviour change ultimately can help employees stay well and more productive for longer, helping to drive down absenteeism as well as presenteeism.
A version of this article originally appeared of VitalityAdviser Insights Hub.
In partnership with Vitality
At Vitality, we take a unique approach to insurance. As well as providing high-quality comprehensive cover, we provide a complete wellness package that can help boost employee engagement and productivity.
