Public Health and Employers: The Hertfordshire Public Health Offer Tom May Health Improvement Specialist 14 th November 2013

The Problem Increasing non-communicable disease –Smoking, obesity Increasing mental ill health Increasing sickness absence and sick pay Increasing loss to business productivity and performance Aging workforce Avoidable cost of managing and replacing sick and absent staff

Where’s the evidence? Established relationship between lifestyle related risk factors (smoking, inactivity, obesity) and productivity absenteeism and health claims. (Buron et al,2005, Wellsource, 2006 & University of Michigan, 2006)

What does this mean for you? High prevalence of major modifiable health risks contributes to the epidemic of chronic disease. – Overweight &Obesity –Inactivity- Smoking –Stress- Elevated blood pressure –Elevated cholesterol- High blood sugar –Alcohol Places an increasing burden on employers: decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, increased health and worker’s compensation claims. Unless we do something is that 2/3 of people will be in chronic ill health or disability before age 68, the new retirement age

Why should you care? You’re paying for it The do-nothing strategy of waiting for sickness and then paying for treatment isn’t cost neutral – it costs you Lifestyle related risk factors and behaviours of employees as well as unhealthy work environments and practices drive costs up. High risk employees incur high costs whatever the outcome measure: pharmaceutical, absenteeism, compensation costs or productivity.

Productivity Decreases with Number of Health Risks Excess Productivity Loss Productivity Loss (%) Base Cost Number of Health Risks (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2005;47: (n = 28,375))

Smoking Hertfordshire Stop Smoking Service Free phone: Website: Tobacco Control Advice Community Stop Smoking Support Information and Resources

Physical Activity Business Travel Plan Support Health Walks Exercise Referral Walks and More Local Leisure Providers Community Exercise Opportunities Sports Club Signposting

Healthy Eating / Weight Management Healthy Eating Resources Healthy Eating Toolkit NHS advice Commercial Weight Management Companies Buy in employee support

Mental Health Signposting to policies on managing stress in the workplace Resources: Information and leaflets Self care information Support organisations - MIND - Guidepost Trust Access to psychological support for people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety disorders

Next Steps Have an ongoing dialogue with employers Health MOT’s Workplace Health Champions - Accredited RSPH course for employees Mental Health training course Help share best practice ‘Toolbox’ approach

Contact Details: Tom May E: T: