Improving workforce health pays dividends in reduced care costs

Improving workforce health pays dividends in reduced care costs

The health insurance company, Kaiser Permanente, has just released some interesting facts on the impact of obesity, stress and lack of exercise in the workforce and the costs business owners incur because of it.

Kaiser reports that obesity adds $591 a year per person to health care costs; high stress adds $600; and lack of exercise $330. And while the cost of these maladies are high, they pale in comparison to chronic conditions that are preventable.

Diabetes, for example, adds $3,600 per year, per person in health care costs, according to Kaiser; heart disease adds $3,195; and high blood pressure at least $1,600.

Kaiser says establishing companywide Eating Well, Moving More and Handling Stress programs are the quickest way to improve employee health, reduce health care costs and related premiums.