Let’s have a Heart-Healthy Workplace
Heart disease and stroke are the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States — accounting for roughly one-third of all annual deaths. Each year, employers lose about $127 billion in indirect costs through lost productivity. (American Heart Association)
It doesn’t have to be that way. Workplaces “are a natural place to improve heart health,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. “The chance of developing cardiovascular disease is 50% at age 45, which represents a significant portion of the workforce.”
The CDC and others suggest several ways to improve cardiovascular health among employees …
- Offer activities that encourage movement and exercise. Many companies provide discounts for gym memberships. Organize walking groups at lunch. Make it more attractive for employees to use the stairs rather than an elevator.
- Provide healthy foods with fewer calories and sugar in office vending machines and the cafeteria.
- Offer physicals so employees can learn if they have heart problems; provide information on limiting those problems.
- Set up a workplace gym.
- Create flexible schedules so employees can more easily fit in exercise. Build short activity breaks of 10 to 15 minutes into the workday.
- Host a contest for creating healthy recipes. Offer health education programs.
- Offer onsite classes for people who want to give up cigarettes and other tobacco products.
- Don’t allow smoking and tobacco use in the workplace.
- Set up blood pressure monitors at work.
- Provide racks for those who want to commute by bike.
(Source: CDC, SHRM)
We can help!
Heart monitoring. Physicals. Educational classes. And more.
Contact OCCMed Director Jennifer Carmack at 731-984-8400 or jennifer@occmedjackson.com for help in promoting healthy lifestyles.
