By Caroline Taylor, R.N.
For retail businesses throughout the United States, Valentine’s Day is one of the most profitable celebrations we recognize as consumers. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent as much as $15.7 billion in 2011 on our sweethearts and loved ones on an occasion that has everything to do with own hearts. Matters of the heart are also foremost in the healthcare and wellness field in paying tribute to February as “American Heart Month”. An aging population, poor diets and exercise habits and a lack of awareness of the importance of good heart health costs businesses billions of dollars each year.
While we obviously can’t stop the aging process, we can certainly do more to prevent heart disease and strokes, the first and third leading killers of men and women in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cardiovascular diseases which include heart disease and strokes, account for more than one-third of deaths (33.6%) each year. They are also among the leading causes of disability with nearly 4 million people reporting disabilities from these conditions last year. Health care cost figures are even more astonishing: the CDC reports that $444 billion was spent on costs related to poor heart health with $1 out of every $6 spent on treatment for these “silent killers” in the U.S.
Businesses bearing the brunt of these skyrocketing costs are starting to beat back those expensive line items by recognizing that prevention, education and screening are essential to building a health care model that will save your company dollars…and may even save the lives of your employees. Both goals are important and can start by simply partnering with your healthcare provider to develop a plan that will fit your budget, operations and tracking and reporting methodology. The good news is that although cardiovascular diseases are the most widespread and costly, they are also the most preventable. In developing a plan and setting goals to implement health care cost cutting measures, always consider screenings.
Screening and testing, which is voluntary for workers, makes them aware of any issues, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, where they should seek treatment through their private care physician. Most businesses find that setting up a routine screening process, ideally coupled with seasonal good health practices like flu shots, works best and affords those with limited budgets an option that is effective in attaining prevention. Bluntly put, every business can afford to test their workforce for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol and it can be done at your workplace. So can testing for glucose levels, body mass index (weight) and even non-invasive prostate checks, for that matter. At the other end of the spectrum is hosting or partnering with like-minded businesses or communities and agencies to stage health fairs.
The City of Norfolk presents one of the most successful events you’ll find in our region. Attended by more than 1,200 workers and 120 vendors, the event includes health screenings, testing for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and bone density as well as free medical consultations. Organizers say the most successful events are those that aim to educate and entertain. Participants include physicians in general practice, dermatologists, chiropractors, massage therapists, health clubs and financial advisors, but there is also fun for the family at these outdoor events with activities that promote healthy eating and lifestyle habits that includes demonstrations on preparing tasty, healthy dishes for your family and Zumba classes. Volunteers even dress up as “veggies” as part of day’s health awareness theme.
Hosting health fairs isn’t going to be for every business, but a growing body of evidence indicates that health promotion programs are cost-effective with some studies showing an average return of $5.81 per $1 invested in workplace wellness programs. The bottom line is that healthcare costs are so extraordinarily high and are having such a huge impact on businesses, everyone needs to do their part in promoting prevention and healthy habits and lifestyle changes.
Caroline Taylor is an RN and President of Taylor Made Diagnostics, a leader in providing occupational medical services in Hampton Roads. TMD is located at the Gateway at SoNo, 801 Poindexter Street, Suite 218 in Chesapeake, Va. 23324, 757-494-1688, www.tmdoccmed.com. Ms. Taylor is a 2011 Inside Business “Women in Business Achievement Award” honoree.