Heart-Health Matters
Investing in employee heart health is a logical and effective corporate strategy. It’s important to prioritize heart health by taking proactive measures against heart disease. Globally, employee wellbeing is increasingly recognized as being fundamental to business success, thus Canadian businesses have a compelling reason to invest in the cardiovascular wellness of their workforce.
Heart disease ranks as one of the leading causes of death worldwide - claiming approximately 17.9 million lives globally each year. In Canada, heart disease affects over 2.4 million adults, claiming 49,000 lives annually.
By promoting heart health initiatives in the workplace, organizations can enhance the physical health of their employees and drive tangible business value. $3.6 billion a year is the cost of strokes on the Canadian economy. Research suggests that for every dollar invested in employee wellness programs, businesses can expect a return on investment (ROI) of up to $3.27 through reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, and improved employee morale and engagement.
Key Strategies of a Heart-Positive Workplace
Awareness & Education:
- Organize educational workshops, seminars, or lunch-and-learn sessions on heart health awareness.
- Choose experts from trusted organizations such as the Heart and Stroke Canada https://www.heartandstroke.ca/, as they provide credible information and bust myths.
- Use internal channels to share healthy eating tips, recipes, and success stories of employees living a healthy life throughout the year.
- Encourage employees to participate in health screenings like blood pressure checks, and other assessments such as lab tests for cholesterol etc.
Nutrition:
- Partner with caterers, or on-site food providers, to prioritize heart-healthy meal choices that are low in sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar.
- Stock break rooms with healthy snacks like nuts/seeds, low fat yogurt, and fresh fruit instead of sugary options or processed foods.
- Get personalized nutrition plans for your employees, which are often available in a good wellness program. For example, ACE Nutrition Pro: https://acenutrition.ca/corporate
- Encourage employees to learn more about nutrition (from reputable sources) through courses on diet and good health.
Employee Engagement + Incentives:
- Ask your employees for input about what types of healthy initiatives they would find most beneficial and engaging.
- Incentivize employees who actively participate in healthy initiatives.
- Celebrate successes and recognize individual and team achievements in improving their health. Share success stories and positive testimonials.
Adding elements of physical activities and stress management could also help you boost your efforts in improving your employer wellness program. Remember, heart health requires holistic measures!
Invest in Your People — Invest in Success
By prioritizing heart health in your workplace, you're not just promoting individual well-being, you'll reap the rewards of a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce. The result will be reduced absenteeism, and improved employee engagement, which together will contribute to a strong bottom line. Incorporating employee-friendly solutions in your corporate wellness program can make a huge impact on the overall performance of your workforce, and your corporate wellness culture.
Components like online cooking classes, professional support from registered dietitians, e-courses made by nutrition experts, and one-on-one consultants can keep your workforce heart-healthy, happy, and productive. Contact us to find out how our proven programs can transform your business.
