New Report: Impact of Poor Health on Business

Posted by on October 24, 2003

[posted from CCPH Partnership Matters newsletter]

THE US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ISSUES REPORT ON THE IMPACT OF POOR HEALTH ON BUSINESSES

In September, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson released a new report highlighting the significant economic toll that preventable diseases take on businesses, workers and the nation. The report highlights the importance for employers to make health promotion part of their business strategy. The report comes as Secretary Thompson hosted a prevention roundtable discussion with more than a dozen executives from major U.S. corporations. The meeting allowed top government and business leaders to discuss the urgency of rising health care costs, an aging population and prevention priorities as well as to share strategies for the public and private sectors to better address these issues. “The choices we make about diet, activity and tobacco affect not only our own lives, but also affect the economic health of our families, our businesses and even our nation as a whole,” Secretary Thompson said. “More businesses need to recognize that poor health means lower productivity and higher health insurance costs. Smart business leaders increasingly are finding that it is the right decision to promote health education, physical activity and preventive benefits in the workplace.

The report, “Prevention Makes Common Cents,” from HHS’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation is available at http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/prevention.