Supporting Your Organization’s Heart Health

According to the CDC, more than 877,500 Americans die from heart disease and stroke every year, accounting for one-third of all deaths. It is estimated that by 2035, 45% of people will have at least one cardiovascular condition. For many employers, healthcare costs associated with heart-related conditions are on the rise. These conditions are not only costly from a financial standpoint but also to productivity levels and overall population risk and well-being. When employers make it a priority to educate their population on the importance of heart health they are supporting their employees’ health journeys, increasing morale, and lowering healthcare costs.

The Economic Impact of Cardiovascular Disease

The American Heart Association recently reported that the average annual direct and indirect cost of CVD in the United States was an estimated $407.3 billion from 2018 to 2019. Costs associated with heart-related conditions including inpatient resource utilization, and increased pharmaceutical costs can have a significant impact on both an organization’s bottom line and an employee’s financial position. The economic toll can also be seen in an annual loss in productivity to the tune of $147 billion annually, according to the CDC.
The cost of cardiovascular diseases can be felt deeply in an organization’s bottom line. High blood pressure raises an employee’s healthcare costs by nearly one-third, according to a recent report. The same report also indicated that cardiovascular-related diseases accounted for an average of 13 lost working days per year per patient.

How Your Organization Can Promote Heart Health

According to a recent CDC report, only 16% of employers provided information to their employees last year on how to manage cardiovascular disease. Here are some ways that your organization can promote heart health within your population:

• Promote the utilization of primary care visits, which can help with early detection and management of overall heart health.
• Share how healthy lifestyle changes including diet changes, stress management, and regular exercise can help prevent cardiovascular-related conditions.
• Host heart health workshops with local healthcare partners to provide blood pressure screenings and discuss ways on how employees can make heart health a priority.
• Communicate the importance of heart health regularly with your employees through brochures, videos, posters, emails, and newsletter from the American Heart Association or the National Institutes of Health.

As your organization incorporates heart health into your wellness and population health management strategy, your AssuredPartners team is here to help! Reach out to your local AssuredPartners consultant to discuss what opportunities for employee engagement and communication may exist during American Heart Month and throughout the calendar year.