MONTHLY BAROMETER – WELLNESS EDITION
What can be done to reduce “easily” preventable costs that add to the fiscal burden of so many countries around the world? This is where wellness kicks in! New research conducted at Queen’s University Belfast and recently published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health concludes that sitting for too long costs countries hundreds of millions every year.
The study focuses on the UK, estimating that sitting for at least six hours a day costs the National Health Service (NHS) at least GBP 700 million per year. It breaks down as follows: GBP 424 million spent on cardiovascular disease, 281 million on type 2 diabetes, and 30 million on colon cancer alone (which suggests the 700 million figure is a low estimate, as other types of cancer might also be included).
This new study will provide a great deal of ammunition to those who denounce sedentary behavior as a critical manifestation of “un-wellness.” Physical movement should be incentivized in any possible shape or form because it’s not only a huge source of personal wellbeing but also a significant contributor to the fiscal wellbeing of our countries. Companies take note! When will “walkshops” replace workshops?
At least one personnel has to be tasked as a wellness ambassador in the company and in case the wellness ambassador leaves the company, a backup should also be kept in hand. Those ones will be trained in wellness and its sub categories and then spread the information through to the other employees. Also employees can achieve bonuses regarding to the ambassador’s monthly reports. Profit, growth, turnovers, strategies… People are being measured with how they handle professional life missions. But how about social targets? Losing weight, spending time for meditation, giving up cigar any many others… Here in Rep. of Turkey, companies giving their personnel especially the ones who are spending more time out of the company, meal cards. In my opinion, companies should keep the BMI of the employees and every single employee who is over the intended BMI space should gain less meal card credits until they reach where they suppose to be. Inhumane? Insulting? Unethical? I don’t think so….