Nearly half of all adults in the United States have some type of cardiovascular disease [1]. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, resulting in about 659,000 deaths from heart disease each year [2]. Employers have a critical role in helping their workforce manage their cardiovascular health. As employee health is integral to workforce wellness, productivity, and cost minimization, it is crucial for employers to invest in strategies that promote cardiovascular health.
February, which is American Heart Month, is a great time to think about elevating your organization’s screening or health and wellness programs to promote employee heart health. LetsGetChecked’s at-home screening programs are an easy and convenient way to meet employees where they are with the quality healthcare they deserve. We offer at-home tests such as Biometrics Screening, Diabetes and Heart Tests, and Cholesterol Tests to help employees monitor their heart health while allowing employers to receive cost savings.
Workforce costs of cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is one of the most costly medical conditions for employers. From 2015 to 2035, the cost of treating this disease is expected to more than double from $555 billion to $1.1 trillion [3]. The financial burden for employers includes direct costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease and indirect costs from current productivity losses and future productivity losses from reduced employment, unemployment, or even premature death. As healthcare costs continue to rise in the United States, employers also face substantial costs incurred from health insurance claims and disability benefits.
Employee absenteeism and short-term disability resulting from cardiovascular disease can cost employers about $1,119 more in the first month alone [3]. The first month following a cardiovascular event, employees lose about 56 hours in productivity [4]. Although the first month following a cardiovascular event has the highest costs, employers may still have to pay more through the first year for workplace absenteeism and up to three years for short-term disability.
The importance of screenings for heart health
Cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure are major risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, screenings to measure blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels can provide employees with the insights they need to monitor their heart health. Investments in screening programs and at-home testing solutions are important long-term strategies to reduce and control cardiovascular disease-related costs.
While regular screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes can help employees recognize their risk for cardiovascular disease and encourage healthy behaviors, only 23% of employers provided at least one of these screenings to their employers in 2017 [5]. Fortunately, at-home screening tests are a convenient and effective way for more employers to provide their workforce with the quality healthcare they deserve and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease in the workforce. Employers who provide their employees with screenings can help them manage their heart health for better morale, productivity, and work attendance while minimizing costs and improving population health and wellness.
Reduce cardiovascular disease-related costs with LetsGetChecked’s at-home testing solutions
LetsGetChecked’s at-home screening solutions can help employers reduce cardiovascular disease costs, improve care, and enhance the employee experience. Our biometric screening solutions allow you to customize your program for your population’s unique needs. This solution meets your employees where they are, skipping the need for appointments and long wait times. Our unique solutions drive more engagement and better access to close gaps in care and ultimately improve your employees' outcomes.
LetsGetChecked offers various at-home tests so employers can help their employees monitor their heart health from their homes. With our Biometrics Screening option, employers can create a tailored screening program to test for cholesterol and blood pressure and gain vital insights into their population's health. Other at-home testing options include our Diabetes and Heart Test to check cholesterol levels and help identify or monitor diabetes or our Cholesterol Test to check cholesterol levels for easy heart health monitoring. Together, we can help employees receive screening services from their homes in a safe, convenient, and private manner while also providing long-term financial savings.
References
- https://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
- https://www.amgenemployerresources.com/cardiovascular-toolkit.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7609459/
- https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/initiatives/resource-center/pdf/WHRC-Calling-All-Employers-Heart-Disease-Stroke-Infographic-508.pdf
