Survey: U.S. workers at increased risk for developing a chronic disease

Smoking, eating too many unhealthy foods, drinking excessive alcohol and sitting all day is leaving many U.S. workers at risk for developing a chronic disease, according to a survey commissioned by Workplace Options, a well-being support provider.

Indeed, a quarter of the 544 people surveyed by Public Policy Polling already have been diagnosed with either cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes or pre-diabetes.

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“Employers are in a unique position to offer employees the tools and resources they need to live healthier and more productive lives by minimizing their risk factors for these largely preventable diseases,” says Workplace Options’ CEO Dean Debnam. “Tobacco cessation support, weight management resources and employee well-being coaching are all effective ways to help employees modify their lifestyles in ways that will benefit their physical health, as well as the health of the organizations where they work.”

One alarming survey finding: 28 percent of the respondents who have a chronic disease are between the ages of 18 and 29.

“We were surprised to see how many employees, at the beginning of their careers, were already struggling with a chronic disease,” Debnam says. “When you consider the long-term implications in terms of health care costs alone, it is extremely concerning.”

Other key findings of the survey include:

• 32 percent of the respondents use some form of tobacco
• 60 percent say their employer does not provide access to tobacco cessation support
• 55 percent are slightly or very overweight
• 59 percent say their employer does not offer resources for weight management support
• Of those polled whose employers offer weight management resources, 85 percent say they are very likely or somewhat likely to access support if they needed it
• 23 percent say they spend on average between 50 percent and 75 percent of their waking hours sitting down

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