Quick facts:

40 percent of employees say they are worried about their long-term health but haven't had a health check in the last year
17 percent never think about having a health check at all, and 39 percent of people won't go for a health check unless they feel ill.
Even when employees do feel ill, only 44 percent immediately visit a doctor or a health clinic to explain their symptoms.

A new report from Aetna International explores barriers to better health among employees, drawing on the experiences of companies from around the globe. The study identifies a number of challenges to worker health and explores strategies for addressing those challenges.

In the study, researchers looked at eight areas that represent barriers to, or areas of opportunity for, better employee health, using surveys of 4,000 employees at sites in the UK, U.S., Singapore and the UAE.

The report starts by noting that although consumers have never had more access to health information, many workers in developed nations still seem unable or unmotivated to make improvements in their lifestyles. "Despite the ready availability of data and information, instances of non-communicable and lifestyle-related diseases continue to rise globally, accompanied by rising health care costs," the report said. "As a leading global benefits provider, Aetna International wanted to understand the reasons why employees are failing to act and the barriers they face in pursuing self-care."

People care about their health, but fear and lack of time keep them from acting

One of the more interesting findings of the study is that people say they are concerned about their health, but in many cases, they do not act on that concern. The report said people are often in a "no news is good news" mindset. Fear of stigma, fear of bad news, privacy fears—all can play into a decision not to be proactive about health. Social reassurance, in personal life or in the workplace, can help overcome that fear, the report said.

"While there's an abundance of information available online, there's still growing consumer demand for access to support groups and providers to help provide reassurance," said Anushka Patchava, M.D., customer proposition and strategy lead for vHealth at Aetna International. "People are seeking 'normal' from others who are credible in certain fields or who have first-hand experience of a treatment pathway or a change in behavior."

Lack of time is one cause of stressors, according to the study:

23 percent of people cite lack of time as the primary reason for not having a health check
33 percent of employees do not feel they have the time to be ill
46 percent say the ability to take time off work for an appointment would encourage them to make one

Suggested: A role for management—and better use of technology

The report said both government and employers have a role to play in helping workers be better-motivated—but noted that the US, as a country that emphasizes individualism, relies less on government programs. "Collectivist societies like the UAE and Singapore have more support from governmental bodies," the report said. "The UK and US are more individualistic: In the UK and US people often make health changes for the good of their families, whereas in the UAE and Singapore it can be for the greater good."

Simon Miller, senior director of customer proposition at Aetna International, said company culture can have a large role in wellness for American workers. "From an individual's perspective, happiness is linked to wellness. So, one of the questions employers consider has to be 'How can we help employees find a sense of happiness and purpose?'," Miller said. "Businesses should address more than just people's workload so that your job isn't just financially rewarding but somewhere that gives you a sense of purpose and helps you achieve a quality of life."

The report found strategies such as virtual care or worksite clinics also show promise as a strategy for better employee engagement. "Virtual health care services offer ease of access to personal health advice, guidance and diagnoses, and could be more widely used worldwide to tackle health inertia. Better access to online health consultations would encourage nearly a third of people to get regular check-ups, while over a third would like the use of an app or online service," the study said.

With worksite clinics, many barriers to care are greatly reduced, the study found, by making care more convenient and timely, while still maintaining a more human, face-to-face experience.

"People are now investing in allowing offices to become a clinical environment," said Patchava. "The in-office health care presence is a low-cost, primary care facility for non-urgent cases. This means acute services aren't over-subscribed and people can still have access when they need it."

Read more:

Instant Insights /

How employers can help employees overcome barriers to improving health

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