Health screening finds 43% of employees have undiagnosed medical conditions

Meritain Health recently compiled an assessment report aggregating the results of the screenings of 10,000 corporate employees.  The sample population was 52.6% female, 61.5% male and 61.5% over the age of 40.  The findings showed that:

• 61.5% over the age of 40 are at risk for common conditions such as colon cancer, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure
• 42.9% had undiagnosed, untreated medical conditions
• 37% were overweight ,which can lead to diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol
• 44.3% had high cholesterol, which can lead to blocked arteries
• 16.1% were diagnosed with newly discovered risk factors
• 2.1% were diagnosed with serious medical conditions that required immediate medical attention

In this age of rising health insurance premiums, employers must take proactive steps to manage their employees’ medical claim costs.  Unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles can drive up the cost of healthcare. Many employees are totally unaware of underlying risk factors for future diseases.  Health screenings are required to provide early intervention and potentially prevent future medical conditions.

Employer sponsored health screening (health fairs) are the best way to screen large groups of people in a single location.  Many times employers not only do screenings, but invite other wellness vendors to set up informational booths in the screening room.

A comprehensive screening includes several components.  The first is a biometric screening.  This can be done in one of two formats: finger stick or venipuncture.  Not all tests can be performed using a finger stick.  A venipuncture, which actually draws out a tube of blood, can be a much more comprehensive screening tool.  If not done properly, a finger stick can be contaminated with tissue fluid, which can dilute the sample and give an inadequate reading.  Also, finger sticks tend to hurt more and last several days. Some companies chose a finger stick over venipuncture because the results are instantaneous and the cost is less.  We tend to favor the venipuncture for the scope of the panels.

The other components of a health screening are blood pressure checks, height, weight and measurement of waist circumference.  I can’t impress enough the importance of doing blood pressure checks during a health fair.  Most people fail to have their blood pressure checked on a regular basis.   With knowledge comes early intervention for prevention of high blood pressure- a precursor to hypertension, stroke and congestive heart failure.

All of the information gathered during the screening can be transferred into a specifically designed health risk assessment program that can calculate risk factors for future diseases. Employees then receive a personal report, usually retrievable on line or by mail.

These findings can be used to project future medical costs and lost productivity. Now is the time to schedule a health screening for your company. Let it be the foundation for your comprehensive wellness program, and greatly reduced employees’ medical claim costs.