Keep those who run your company running

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning business strategy or benefits these days, but employee health has a big impact on company vitality and the bottom line.

“Travel, long business hours and excessive commitments leave little time for personal needs, including health and fitness. Too often, these needs may not be addressed until serious health problems occur. A quality Executive Health program assesses, diagnoses and informs patients about their current health status and provides a comprehensive wellness plan for the future.”
-Carl A. Meyer, MD Internal Medicine Specialist Penn Center for Executive Health

The recession has led to even greater increased demands on companies to deliver a healthy profit. This often requires C-level staff and other employees to take on added job responsibilities. Many workers are burning the candle at both ends and ultimately become stressed, worn down and in neglect of their own health.

Safeguard Employee Performance

Poor health leads to both physical and emotional problems. Businesses lose hundreds of billions of dollars each year in reduced productivity, absenteeism and other medical costs. That's why preventive health care is more critical than ever - even in a struggling economy.

A specialized employee health and wellness program can identify - and even prevent - many health conditions, reducing the impact on the company's bottom line.

Stress management is an important area for corporations to consider. According to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, health care expenditures are nearly 50 percent greater for workers who report high levels of stress. Stress plays a pivotal role in several types of chronic health problems - especially cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological disorders, sleep disorders and obesity.

Corporations can also positively impact the health and wellbeing of their employees by providing programs specific to exercise and/or diet and nutrition. Obesity costs United States businesses more than $12.7 billion annually in health care, sick leave, life and disability insurance, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

Preventive care keeps sick days and medical claims down, but also helps to reduce presenteeism. Presenteeism, a commonly found but rarely addressed workplace issue, is defined as the measure of lost productivity cost due to employees actually showing up for work, but not being fully engaged and productive.  Personal health and life issue distractions are the leading cause of presenteeism.  

According to a 2004 Harvard Business Review article, "Presenteeism: At Work, But Out of It," presenteeism may cost the U.S. up to $150 billion each year. Currently, presenteeism is estimated to be more than seven times more costly to employers than absenteeism.

"A productive way to diminish employee health problems is by encouraging staff to be proactive with their health and wellness, addressing the health concerns they may have instead of ignoring any physical or emotional signs of distress," states Dr. Meyer. "The culture of companies should help employees not feel compromised by utilizing the sick and personal time they have accrued to address health issues. The time taken away from work may seem costly, but ultimately benefits both employee and employer."

Bottom Line Benefits

Healthy executives are vital to the health of a company. Keeping the workforce healthy and productive is essential to keeping each company, and the economy, strong. And that means maintaining your employee health and wellness programs.

"The idea that spending money on employee health is an 'extra cost' is not supported by the literature," explains Marilyn Howarth, MD, Director, Occupational and Environmental Consultation Services at Penn Medicine. "Benefits managers are in need of useful information about the importance and the cost savings potential of such care. There is good evidence that well-designed, integrated and well-supported health promotion programs like an executive health program, provide a substantial return on investment. A 2008 report showed a $1.65 ROI for such programs. Investing money in the right health promotion activities actually saves money in the long run."

Due to the financial implications of increased health insurance costs, employee absenteeism and decreased employee productivity, many corporations now entirely fund or partially subsidize incentives for employees to achieve better health.

What to Look for in an Executive Health Program

When choosing an executive health program, priority number one is to align the company with a program that has access to a wide array of health care services onsite. This ensures that employees may be evaluated for any potential health condition. Other services to look for in a program include:

• A comprehensive health assessment customized to meet employees' unique needs and personal wellness goals.
• Diagnostic testing tailored to employees' specific age, gender and health history.
• Wellness assessment with lifestyle/nutritional counseling and fitness consultation.
• One-on-one visits with global leaders in health care.
• Same-day appointments with multiple specialists.
• End-of-day test results and personal wellness plans detailing a proactive approach to managing health.
• Care coordination for appropriate follow-up appointments.

Benefits Beyond the Boardroom

Preventive care enhances long-term health. An executive health program goes beyond a general annual physical and addresses the employee's whole health. Employees fare better when given a plan of action and the guidance and tools to make lifestyle changes. By taking better care of themselves, they can stave off stress and major illness, maintain vitality, and fully contribute to their employer and their loved ones for years to come.

About the Penn Center for Executive Health

The Penn Center for Executive Health is an extraordinary preventive medicine program offering access to personalized health care. The center is the only program in Philadelphia that offers comprehensive medical evaluation, diagnostic testing, same-day results and a personalized care plan.

A one-day, comprehensive medical evaluation by a team of world-renowned physicians is the first step to making executive health a personal and professional priority.

Learn more about the Penn Center for Executive Health by visiting PennMedicine.org/executive or call 866.520. PENN. Take a virtual tour at http://www.pennmedicine.org/executive/virtual-tour.html.