Promoting Annual Physicals Can Cut Health Costs
There may be no such thing as a sure thing, but employers are finding the chance of employees needing major medical procedures predictably drop as access increases to preventive care services such as annual physicals.
Not surprisingly, men are much less likely to have an annual physical than women. Only 57 percent of men have seen a doctor in the past year compared to 74 percent of women, according to a study released by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Black and Hispanic men are even less likely than white men to have an annual check-up.
Conversely, men require hospitalization more often than women for preventable conditions such as diabetes complications and congestive heart failure. Identifying potential health issues early in their development may reduce employer costs associated with sick pay, reduced productivity and hiring temporary help.
Encouraging annual exams in the workplace can create a wellness-oriented culture that benefits both the employer and members of the workforce. Eliminating or reducing co-payment costs, paired with an educational campaign highlighting the benefits of this healthy choice, is an effective strategy that can shift employee attitudes about annual physicals.
Here are some of the most common health screens and preventive tests:
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Body Mass Index (BMI) – A measure of body fat based on height and weight
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Cholesterol – High cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease
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Blood Pressure – Increases the chances of heart or kidney disease and stroke
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Cardiovascular Disease – Something as simple as an aspirin tablet daily may be appropriate depending on age, health and lifestyle (ask your doctor)
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Colorectal Cancer – Begin screening at age 50, perhaps younger depending on family history
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Other Cancers – Ask your doctor if you should test for prostate, skin or other cancers
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STDs – Sexually transmitted diseases
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HIV – Your doctor may recommend this screening if you engage in high-risk activities
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Depression – Seek help if you have feelings of despair and have little interest in activities you normally enjoy
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm – This is an abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in the abdomen that can burst without warning
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Diabetes – This disease is more common with overweight individuals and can cause a variety of health issues
Learn more about how Saint Francis Medical Center can help with physical exams for your workforce by calling Chad Clippard, referral services manager, at 573-331-3019.
Helping Employees Kick the Habit Saves Money
Helping employees stop smoking provides bottom-line benefits for employers while improving the health of the workforce.
An increasing number of employers are investing in smoking cessation programs to support transitions to a smoke-free environment. The economic benefits of increased productivity and decreased absenteeism quickly offset the costs of these programs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates each smoker costs employers $3,400 per year in lost productivity and excess medical expenditures. This supports American Cancer Society statistics that show employees who smoke have an average insured payment for healthcare of $1,145 compared to $762 for nonsmoking employees.
Missouri has the 11th-highest smoking rate in the nation, with nearly 21 percent of adults falling into this category. Even more concerning to employers is the smoking rate among pregnant women in Missouri, in which one in every six pregnant women smokes. This rate is 64 percent higher than the national average and results in an increase in infant health risks.
Here are some of the bottom-line reasons employers benefit when their employees quit smoking:
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The average smoking employee spends the equivalent of 18 days per year on smoking breaks
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Cost analyses have shown tobacco cessation benefits pay for themselves and save the company money within a few years
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Smokers miss work due to sickness approximately 30 percent more often than nonsmokers
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Smoking is a primary risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes
For more information about Saint Francis Medical Center’s Freedom From Smoking program, please call Chad Clippard, referral services manager, at 573-331-3019.
Ergonomics Works in Standing and Sitting Positions
With one obvious difference, standing and sitting postures can be equally effective in creating proper workplace ergonomics that feature neutral body positions.
A neutral position is one in which the joints align naturally and work with the rest of the body to reduce stress and strain on the muscles, tendons and skeletal system. This improves functionality and productivity, along with reducing the need for medical interventions for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
The key elements of proper ergonomics remain the same regardless of whether the worker sits or stands at their workstation. The torso and neck should be approximately vertical and in line with each other, with the computer screen positioned to encourage a neutral head tilt.
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the following are important considerations in maintaining neutral body postures at a computer workstation:
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Hands, wrists and forearms should be straight and aligned roughly parallel to the floor
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Head is level or bent slightly forward, generally in line with the torso
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Shoulders relaxed and upper arms hanging normally
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Elbows close to the body and bent between 90 and 120 degrees
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Feet supported by the floor or a footrest
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Back fully supported with appropriate lumbar support with setting vertically or leaning back slightly
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Thighs and hips supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor
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Knees about the same height as the hips, with the feet slightly forward
Changing positions often helps prevent strain on specific muscles. Get up and walk to the printer, the water cooler or the restroom to give your brain and your body a break.
To schedule a Saint Francis Medical Center physician to assess your workplace, please call Chad Clippard, referral services manager, at 573-331-3019.