Healthcare costs in the U.S. represent over 14% of the GNP or $1.45 trillion per year. The cost of a family PPO is estimated to climb from $8,173 in 2002 to $17,980 in 2012.
Then consider that 80% of the illnesses and disease in the U.S. are preventable.
The costs to individuals and companies are staggering. One of my clients decided to move from “sick-care” to wellness in their corporate culture. Now after several years, they've begun to measure the results. Team members who continued with high-risk behaviors to their health cost 150% more than those at low risk. This unhealthy high-risk behavior drives worker's compensation costs up almost 30%. Absenteeism goes up 30%. Disability costs is over 40% higher and productivity loss doubled.
Healthier workers have better morale, improved work performance, less absenteeism, and increased loyalty
The flip side is that healthier workers have better morale, improved work performance, less absenteeism, and increased loyalty to the company. The financial benefits to workers and companies are also dramatic. Many companies report $200-$500 of savings per employee. Some reported returns of over $5.00 for every dollar spent.
My conclusion? The health and fitness of employees is a business issue. And it's also a spiritual issue as we have a responsibility personally and toward others to promote fitness and health holistically.
To promote some thinking and discussion around this topic, InsideWork interviewed Coach Don Nava, author of Fit After 40, and founder of The Prevail Team. Coach Nava is a fitness coach who has worked with renowned professional athletes and major corporations. If you or your company need inspiration, instruction, and the practical accountability and action that a coach can bring, contact Coach Nava.
In this first video, Coach Don Nava explains the concept of Total Fitness.
Thanks to our friend, Jim Hancock, for producing these videos.
