The Future of Workplace Wellness: Beyond Health Checkups, Toward Real Change

A workforce in poor health results in elevated healthcare expenses. For employers, the financial burden goes beyond healthcare premiums, covering a range of direct and indirect expenditures—from absenteeism and sick leave to productivity losses due to “presenteeism,”  - when employees are at work but not fully effective. The financial impact of poor health extends to both public and private sectors, affecting their financial health. To reduce these costs, both direct and indirect, and to improve employee well-being, preventive health programmes play a crucial role.

The economic toll of disease, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, is substantial. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has documented that these conditions not only drive up healthcare costs but also affect performance, productivity, and employee retention. In low- and middle-income countries alone, cumulative economic losses due to NCDs are expected to surpass $7 trillion between 2011 and 2025—around 4% of global output in 2010. [1] This strain affects sectors ranging from small businesses to large corporations.

The economic impact of disease extends beyond physical health to include the mental health and well-being of employees. The prevalence of mental health concerns has far-reaching implications. According to the WHO, depression and anxiety disorders result in an estimated $1 trillion in global lost productivity annually.[2] Mental health isn't just a personal matter—it carries significant economic weight.

In today’s fast-paced workplace, employee well-being is increasingly recognised as a core asset rather than an afterthought. Yet, many wellness programmes remain rooted in a reactive approach: annual health checkups, periodic screenings, and monitoring key health markers. While these steps are important, they capture only part of the wellness picture.

True wellness goes beyond check-ups; it’s about fostering lasting, preventive health habits that reduce the risk of both physical and mental health issues, supporting a more engaged and productive workforce.

A modifiable risk factor shared by both mental health issues and chronic diseases is behaviour. Day-to-day habits greatly influence an individual’s overall health, both physical and mental. Research highlights that if behaviour-related risk factors were eradicated, at least 80% of cases of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke could be prevented.[3]

Building a Culture of Wellness

Scientific studies affirm that, when properly implemented, workplace health promotion and disease prevention programmes can enhance employee health, curb healthcare costs, boost productivity, and deliver a positive return on investment (ROI), benefiting both employers and employees[4].

A robust health and wellness programme should also incorporate stress management techniques, which the United Nations has recognised as crucial in combating "the 20th Century Disease."

Prioritising a preventive approach to wellness is a sound business decision. Employers who foster a culture of wellness create a supportive environment where employees feel empowered to take charge of their health. This culture pays dividends through reduced healthcare costs, improved job satisfaction, and higher retention rates.

Successful corporate wellness programmes require more than good intentions; they need expertise in behaviour change—an area where health coaching excels. When employees receive ongoing support in building healthier routines, the impact on the workplace is both immediate and lasting. Although it is widely acknowledged that health behaviour change substantially improves health and acts as a preventive measure, achieving and sustaining this change is no simple task. This is where our expertise at Emeri Holistic Health comes into play.

Health Coaching: A Path to Sustained Wellness

Altering behaviour is a complex endeavour, requiring a holistic understanding of an individual's health, including the factors that shape their behaviour.

Health coaching, based on behavioural change strategies, offers a sustainable approach to wellness. It’s not a quick fix but a structured, supportive way to help individuals reshape their habits and sustain healthier lifestyles over the long term.

Through holistic health coaching, employees receive guidance that addresses multiple facets of their well-being, including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and sleep. This approach has been shown to promote healthier behaviours and reduce the risk of costly chronic conditions.

 At Emeri Holistic Health, we understand that changing behaviours is challenging but transformative. Our health coaching services are designed to empower employees with the knowledge and tools they need to make meaningful, lasting changes that contribute to a healthier, more productive workforce.

If you’re interested in creating a wellness programme that prioritises prevention and supports sustainable health changes, reach out to us at Emeri Holistic Health. Let’s build a workplace where everyone can thrive.

References

[1] WHO, WEF (2011). “From burden to “best buys”: reducing the economic impact of NCDs in LMICs.”

http://www.who.int/nmh/publications/best_buys_summary.pdf?ua=1

[2] The Lancet Global Health. Mental health matters. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 Nov;8(11):e1352. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30432-0. PMID: 33069297; PMCID: PMC7561290.

[3] Rippe JM. Lifestyle Strategies for Risk Factor Reduction, Prevention, and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018 Dec 2;13(2):204-212. doi: 10.1177/1559827618812395. PMID: 30800027; PMCID: PMC6378495.

[4] John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in collaboration with Transamerica Center for Human Studies (2015). “From Evidence to Practice: Workplace Wellness that Works.”