There are numerous reasons to implement workplace wellness programs into the workplace. To begin, many Americans spend the majority of their time in the workplace. Additionally, the cost of healthcare is continually rising as result of chronic diseases in the US, workplace wellness programs can help abate this cost. Workplace wellness programs can also decrease overall cost of healthcare for participants and employers.
More than 130 million Americans are employed across the United States annually. Workplace wellness programs have been shown to prevent the major shared health risk factors specifically for CVD and stroke.[6] Since preventing these major health risks through workplace wellness can help decrease costs for both parties, the implementation of these programs is important. It was as early as 1958 that evidence began to emerge that exposure to ‘‘occupational stress and strain was much higher in young male coronary patients than in equivalent healthy controls. When there is excessive psychological workplace demands coupled with low job decision latitude, stress increases as well as risk for CVD.
Workplace wellness programs can be implemented to help prevent this risk. Increasing physical activity is an important part to in decreasing CVD. Since majority of Americans spend much of their adulthood in the workplace, having primary prevention programs that emphasizes physical activity can make this disease largely preventable.
For 2015-25, health spending is projected to grow at an average rate of 5.8 percent per year (4.9 percent on a per capita basis). Rising employee health care costs have put a growing financial strain on employers across the country, with about one-sixth of these costs directly related to CVD.[8] Heart disease and stroke cost the nation an estimated $316.6 billion in health care costs and lost productivity in 2011.
As these health care costs rise in the U.S., employers are seeing increased spending associated with health care for employees. Costs can be incurred by paying for care, and in lost productivity due to employee illness or absence. Reducing costs associated with preventable illness, like cardiovascular disease, is in the financial interests of both employers and employees. In order to ensure continued reductions in the burden of cardiovascular disease, as well as the overall sustainability of the healthcare system, a paradigm shift that places more emphasis on cardiovascular health promotion throughout the life course is required.
Adding an emphasis of this health promotion in the workplace can help aid in the decrease of the disease.