YOU CAN’T IGNORE THE DATA
For over 20 years, the research data overwhelmingly proves that physical activity (AKA moderate exercise) is critical to health. According to Dr. Harvey Simon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Founding Editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch, “The real energy crisis involves human energy…or the lack thereof. In the United States and throughout the industrial world, insufficient exercise is an important contributor to 4 of the 6 leading causes of death: heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. In all, a sedentary lifestyle.”
Some interesting facts:
• Being inactive is as risky to ones health as smoking.
• Physical inactivity is a major cause of heart disease, adult onset diabetes, some cancers and contributes significantly hypertension and being overweight.
• Average medical bills for men and women over the age of 50 who exercise 3 or more times per week for at least 30 minutes are $2,200 lower per year than medical bills of those who don’t exercise.
• Medical expenditures for obese employees are 77% higher than for workers of healthier weight
• Recent studies indicate that close to 50% of corporate profits now go for employee healthcare vs. 7% just 3 decades ago.
• More than half of these (Health Care) costs are preventable.
WELLNESS PROGRAMS MUST ADDRESS EMPLOYEE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
If a wellness program is going to make a dent in your company’s healthcare costs, you need to help your employees get regular physical activity. People know they should exercise. The problem is that most people don’t – 60% of American’s get less than the recommended amount of exercise, 25% get NONE. People don’t know how to fit physical activity into their busy lives and often don’t know what to do.
THE GOOD NEWS
Research shows that people can get significant health benefits from only 20 minutes of exercise 3 times a week. There are ways to show people how to work exercise into their office and home routine. It’s possible to get exercise without going to a gym or without special equipment. Talk to exercise experts – they can help you teach people how. Because honestly people want to do the right thing – they just don’t know how. One resource who can help – Proactive Partners. Visit www.beproactive.com to see how. Another interesting site – www.HEALTHbeat@
hms.harvard.edu
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