Health outcomes research has shown that workers in the U.S. experience inequitable health and well-being, with significant variations in the burden of chronic disease, mental health conditions, food insecurity and more across populations, even among those covered by employer-sponsored insurance.[1], [2] Recent studies demonstrate how the workplace can serve as a social driver of health, impacting the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease.[3], [4] This growing body of evidence underscores the need to equip employers with tools and resources to positively influence the health and well-being of their workforce.[5]
To help bridge this gap, the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, released the Health Equity in the Workforce Employer Resource Guide, developed in collaboration with the Deloitte Health Equity Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation. This new resource aims to increase employers’ understanding and adoption of health equity in the workplace to help all employees reach their full health potential.
The guide includes an overview of how health disparities can manifest in the workplace and the role of the employer, as well as actionable strategies, economic insights and guidance on measuring progress. Expanding on the foundational work of the Association’s CEO Roundtable in support of the 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal, the guide delves deeper into the practical implementation of health equity policies and practices and the potential impact on workforce health and business performance.
The American Heart Association believes employers play an important role in the health and well-being of the New York City community, and the Employer Resource Guide can provide them with the information and support to build a thriving workforce and business.
A future of health equity is one in which everyone has an optimal and just opportunity to be healthy, with intentional consideration for those at greatest risk of poor health. Optimizing the workplace so that all employees can thrive is not only a moral imperative, but also supports continued business success. Through intentional efforts to align benefits, policies and programs with equity considerations, employers can play a vital role in helping achieve zero gaps in health outcomes.[6]
The Health Equity in the Workforce Employer Resource guide is just one of the several tools, resources, and knowledge products available through the Health Equity in the Workforce initiative between the American Heart Association, the Deloitte Health Equity Institute and the SHRM Foundation. With a goal to enable positive health outcomes for 10 million US workers by 2025, the collaboration provides employers with actionable strategies to help ensure that their health and well-being benefits, policies, and programs result in equitable outcomes for all employees. An employee-centric, equity minded approach can also help strengthen employee engagement and retention, build consumer trust, and support talent attraction in today’s competitive market.[7], [8], [9] The initiative is powered by the American Heart Association’s Well-being Works Better™ platform, which helps business leaders unleash the power of a healthy, happy workforce.
Click here to access the Employer Resource Guide and learn more.
Additional Resources:
- AHA news release: Equipping employers to address costly health inequities, improve workforce well-being
- Follow AHA/ASA news on X (formerly known as Twitter): @HeartNews
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For Media Inquiries:
Mark Hurley; [email protected]; 917-445-0207
Diego Ortiz; [email protected]; 212-878-5903
Citations
[1] Health Disparities in Employer-Sponsored Insurance (norc.org)
[2] Deloitte The Health Care Gender Toll
[3] Psychosocial Stressors at Work and Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Men and Women: 18-Year Prospective Cohort Study of Combined Exposures (ahajournals.org)
[4] Workplace Discrimination and Risk of Hypertension: Findings From a Prospective Cohort Study in the United States | Journal of the American Heart Association (ahajournals.org)
[5] Employers can spark healthy aging | Deloitte Insights
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37160704/
[7] Increase Productivity | Control Health Care Costs | Model | Workplace Health Promotion | CDC
[8] Deloitte’s online PDF “The Equity Imperative,” page 12
[9] https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IHR-05-2020-0014/full/html#:~:text=The%20research%20and%20results%20show,satisfaction%20levels%20within%20the%20organization.