Investment in employee well-being starts by redefining “health.” This means going beyond the “absence of illness” as our primary measure. (Photo: Shuterstock)

We're facing unprecedented levels of poor health—from obesity and chronic health conditions to loneliness, which poses a significant health risk equal to that of smoking. And employers are feeling the impact. According to the Centers for Disease Control, absenteeism related to chronic conditions like obesity, smoking and physical inactivity was associated with annual costs greater than $2 billion per risk factor. On the flip side, when employees are happy and healthy, they're more productive, have lower medical costs and are better able to focus on their jobs, leading to tangible financial benefits.

There's a clear business case for helping employees get healthy, but it's more than that—it's simply the right thing to do.

Investment in employee well-being starts by redefining “health.” This means going beyond the “absence of illness” as our primary measure. While improving physical health remains a priority, we now know it's just one piece of the puzzle. Other vital pieces include our social relationships, mental health and capacity to prioritize the greater good.