In a 2009 survey of 13,908 Australian workers:

• Half of those who believed they were in excellent health were at high risk.
• 8013 were identified as having one or more risk factors.
• 280 were at an extreme level of risk and in need of urgent clinical attention, most commonly for elevated blood pressure and blood sugar.
• 47% were overweight.
• 45% had high blood pressure.
• 29% had high blood glucose.
• 26% had high cholesterol.
• 24% had Type 2 diabetes.
• 14% had cardiovascular disease.
• Blood pressure, excessive drinking and cardiovascular disease were the main problems for men while overweight and cholesterol were the common problems for the women in the survey.

Productivity
While most employers (and employees), when considering the factors that impact workplace productivity, tend to focus on workplace flexibility and technology, health factors leave both of those for dead. (Yes, I know. It was deliberate!)

Good health and wellbeing of employees are essential to consistent workplace productivity.

Poor health translates directly into absenteeism due to sickness or debilitation, which in turn tends to overload the healthy team members, further stressing them.

So, it might be time to look around at your team – and in the mirror – and ask yourself and your team, “What can we do, here at work, that will have the effect of improving our general health?”.

Footnote: Male executives were among the worst offenders when it came to being dishonest with themselves about their health.

(Ref Australian Financial Review, Friday 30 October 2009, p12)