Employee health is far more complex than medical care alone. Research shows that social, economic, and environmental factors account for up to 80% of health outcomes (Deloitte, 2024). As an employer, understanding what drives employee health can help you create a supportive environment that promotes well-being and enhances overall performance. Let's explore three key factors that significantly impact employee health.
1. Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is one of the most influential factors affecting employee health. Long work hours, job-related stress, and lack of flexibility can increase the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and mental health disorders. Employers can help by offering flexible work arrangements, encouraging time off, and promoting wellness programs. This investment can reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, and support employees’ long-term health.
2. Access to Comprehensive Healthcare
Our country has long faced a health equity crisis, driven by structural flaws in the healthcare system that lead to quantifiable differences in health-related outcomes. One way to reduce these disparities is to expand access to healthcare for historically underserved populations (Gebreyes et al., 2021). Employers can enhance access by providing on-site health clinics, telemedicine services, and mental health support to ensure that employees receive holistic care that extends beyond the workplace.
3. A Supportive Work Environment
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes, including the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, worship, and age (CDC, 2023). Addressing differences in SDOH can help close health equity gaps, creating opportunities for everyone to reach their highest health potential. Employers can contribute by fostering a supportive workplace culture through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, anti-bias training, and transparent leadership practices. A healthier workplace culture can improve team cohesion, reduce employee turnover, and promote a positive work culture where everyone feels supported.
Driving Employee Well-Being Forward
Investing in employee health is investing in your company’s future. By promoting work-life balance, ensuring access to healthcare, and fostering a supportive environment, employers can build a culture of well-being that boosts productivity and morale. Take the first step by evaluating your current workplace practices and exploring initiatives that support your team’s health—because when employees thrive, businesses succeed.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). https://www.cdc.gov/about/priorities/why-is-addressing-sdoh-important.html
Deloitte. (2024). Addressing the drivers of health to improve outcomes for everyone. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/life-sciences-and-health-care/articles/addressing-drivers-of-health-outcomes.html?id=us:2ps:3gl:dohweb25:awa:lshc:080124:cost%20of%20health:p:c:kwd-335798044073&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw9PntOOOigMV9z0IBR1NbAwxEAAYBCAAEgIb0vD_BwE
Gebreyes, K., Lee, J., Rabinowitz, D., Cruse, C. B., & Wagh, M. (2021, November 18). Addressing the drivers of health. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/health-care/drivers-of-health-equity-survey.html
