Risks drive chronic conditions, increase costs

By digging into workers' comp data, health claims, absence, and biometrics, employers can target the behaviors that most influence their workforces, and thereby drive up costs, according to a recent study by Aon Hewitt, the National Business Group on Health, and The Futures Company.

The report cites data from the World Economic Forum that says eight risks and behaviors lead to the top 15 chronic conditions that account for 80 percent of all total costs for chronic illnesses worldwide.

The risks are:physical activity, poor stress management, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, insufficient sleep, lack of health screening, smoking, and poor standard of care.

NCCI: Obesity increases indemnity benefit durations by more than 5 times (07/09/12)
County's wellness program falls under ADA safe harbor provision (06/16/11)
Study: Poor health associated with extensive business travel (06/06/11)
Employers increasingly getting into the wellness game (03/11/13)
Recurring concussions may lead to Alzheimer's, other brain impairments (10/25/12)

The conditions associated with the behaviors include diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, back pain, obesity, cancer, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, allergies, lung disease, kidney disease, sinusitis, and depression.

The researchers say once the top conditions for a particular workforce are identified, employers can focus on specific behaviors that will make a difference, such as moving more, eating better, and lowering stress.Rewarding people for reaching achievable outcomes is key.

March 11, 2013

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