The importance of health and wellness

• Definitions
• Is there a problem? If so, of what magnitude?
• Solutions and recommendations

• Productivity
• Wellness

Causes of uncertified absenteeism
• Perceptions of procedural justice
• Commitment
• Job Satisfaction
• Weather
• Personal Errands

Causes of Certified absenteeism
• Physical health
• Work-family/family-work conflicts
• Need for improvement in management practices
• Rapid changes in the industry generating stress

Year
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
Sickness Benefits Paid
($ BDS)
• 21,430,656
• 15,741,860
• 19,030,204
• 24,817,172
• 23,863,708
• No disaggregation by disease

• Illness; particularly the NCDs
• Fatigue (often caused by poor sleep)
• Lack of exercise
• Dehydration
• Stress

• NCDs account for more than 60% of the health budget - QEH: 65% budget: BDS (>$50M): Most on diabetes and hypertension
• Estimated to consume more that 5% GDP
• The major causes of illness and death in Barbados – 7 out of every 10 deaths
• One quarter of all adults have an NCD
• The common risk factors are physical inactivity , exposure to tobacco smoke , poor diet and harmful use of alcohol
National NCD Commission

What are the chronic non communicable diseases (NCDs)
• Cardiovascular Disease – hypertension, heart attack and stroke
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Cancer – prostate, breast, cervix and colorectal
• Pulmonary Disease

Non-Modifiable (20-30%) Modifiable (70-80%)
• Age • Exposure to tobacco (primary and secondary)
• Sex
• Harmful use of alcohol
• Ethnicity
• Genetic susceptibility/ family history
• Lack of physical activity and exercise
• Unhealthy diets e.g. high in saturated fat, cholesterol, salt and simple sugars, low fruit and vegetable intake

• 80% of chronic disease excluding cancer is preventable using simple lifestyle interventions
• 30-40% of cancers are preventable using simple lifestyle interventions
• 50 % of chronic disease occurs in persons <
70 years old
• 80% of recorded death occur in middle and lower income countries

• Absenteeism (certified and uncertified sick days)
• Board certified (medically unfit)
• Disability (temporary or permanent)
• Time away from work accessing the health service
• Limited/reduced output at work
• Burden on the caregiver and family

WHAT IS WELLNESS?
• The quality or state of being healthy in body and mind.
• An approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and improving quality of life, and by extension improving the ability to meaningfully provide for self and others.

Six Dimensions:
• Physical
• Social
• Intellectual
• Emotional and Spiritual
• Environmental
• Occupational

OUTCOMES PERFORMANCE

Work place safe
YOUR SPACE!
• Parking
• Security
Up to standards
• Lighting
• Ergonomics
• Clean
• No toxins, etc.
Smoke-free work place

Physical Activity
• On-site fitness centers
• Discounts to local gyms
• Signs supporting taking the stairs
• Activity groups (running, walking, swimming, biking, snorkeling, diving)
• Time off to exercise
• Subsidize local run/walks
• Incentive programs
• Discounted/subsidized personal training

Nutrition
• Healthy meals in the cafeteria
• Healthy items in the vending machines
• Water available at all times
• Health food at meetings
• Nutrition education
• Healthy recipes
• Cooking demonstrations
• Taste testings
• Meals to go

Physical Health
• Health screenings – cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, BMI, osteoporosis, body composition
• Vaccinations – flu shots, Hepatitis B, etc.
• Age appropriate screenings
• Smoke free workplace
• Annual well checks
• Employee Health Offices
• Family Health Fairs
• Self Care Guides

• Communicate with employees
• Communicate with upper management
• Share successes
• Share results
• Share goals and direction
• Create a quarterly report and annual report

• Employee Assistance Programs
• Pastoral Care
• Stress management programs and skills
• Ability to attend support groups – or have them in the workplace
• Quiet rooms
• Supportive policies
• Volunteerism

GET SMART
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flex schedules to go to school
• Mentoring programs
• Educational programs at work
• Job sharing
• Partnerships with local schools and universities

• Employee Activity Groups
• Holiday parties
• Charity walk/runs
• Potluck lunches
• Discounts to local events
• Building networks, partnerships and trust

WHAT WORKS
• Begins in this room
• Designated drivers
• Evidence-based practice
• Constant messaging with fresh content
• Patience