As our nation’s healthcare habits shift from costly trips to the emergency room to preventive care, it is critical to educate employees on the importance of early detection.
Early detection begins with a screening. And onsite wellness clinics, such as those we conduct for clients almost daily, can help avert potentially devastating healthcare crises by providing a convenient way to offer health screenings to the entire workforce.
Since 2006, Star Wellness has conducted over 104,000 blood draws and tests, over 21,000 vascular ultrasounds and over 106,000 inoculations (78,000 of those for the flu). While the result can vary slightly from industry to industry, here are the most common health issues Star Wellness has found facing today’s employees:
– Obesity / high BMI
– High blood pressure
– High cholesterol
– Vitamin D deficiency
Left untreated, each of these issues can lead to more serious problems ranging from diabetes and thyroid disease to heart disease and various cancers.
Although a clean bill of health is always the most hoped-for outcome, we have found that the ounce of prevention in catching potential issues early is worth every penny that employers spend to keep their work teams healthy. The key, however, is for the employer to take the initiative.
Even though preventive screenings are covered at 100% under the Affordable Care Act, only 10 to 15 percent of employees (especially men) visit their doctor for an annual physical. Fortunately, companies now recognize that early detection through screening is not only an effective way to protect the health of employees, but also one of the best ways for a company to control rising healthcare costs.
Providing screenings and vaccinations directly to employees in the workplace, often saving lives in the process, is just one way we Star Wellness is changing the way healthcare is delivered. If you would like more information on how we can help you build a healthier workforce, please call 800-685-5572.
