It may be a new year, but that hasn’t erased the employee burnout or safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether a business is operating remotely or managing under new safety protocols to bring back an in-person workforce, employee absenteeism remains a costly challenge to employers.
Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the United States and creates an enormous burden for people, communities, and healthcare providers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, which is 1 in every 4 deaths (Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, 2020).
At the beginning of a new year, Medicaid and Medicare payers and accountable care organizations (ACOs) strategize about how to get members to schedule and attend their preventive care appointments and annual health screenings. Due to employment commitments, lack of transportation, fear of contracting COVID-19, and even lack of education on the importance of annual screenings, many members need to be incentivized to schedule and attend annual screenings and preventive care check-ups.
As the new year begins and the pandemic heightens, encouraging employees to set New Year’s resolutions both personally and professionally will help them achieve a better state of mental and physical health. Studies have shown that when a person sets and sticks to a goal, their self-esteem and overall outlook on life goes up. By incentivizing employees to set New Year’s goals, your organization will create a more positive, present, and engaged workforce.
As we head into 2021, employers are looking to turn the page on a tough year. However, the push for digital health and wellness programs is still prevalent and should be part of your 2021 plan. As many organizations remain remote, employees are missing out on health and wellness perks that were available while working in the office. It is important for employers to keep their employees motivated to stay healthy, especially through the winter months.
