How to achieve measurable wellbeing outcomes

By Simon Thomas, Director – UK Employee Benefits, Generali

Return on investment (ROI) has stifled wellbeing decision-making at senior management level for too long. This has to change to a more meaningful outcomes based approach if we’re to stand any chance of tackling some of the biggest health threats of our time thus, in turn, promoting and supporting healthier lives and a healthier bottom line.

We’re living longer but not in the best of health. Chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease remain amongst the top causes of long-term absence, second only to stress¹. Diabetes now represents the health condition costing employers the most, according to a recent survey, reported in US publication Benefit News². Diabetes is the fastest growing health threat of our time and an urgent public health issue, says charity Diabetes UK. Globally, diabetes is estimated to affect one person in 10 by 2040 or, put it another way, around 642 million people³.

Chronic conditions – and associated healthcare costs - are on the rise globally, driven largely by the fact that ever-increasing longevity is led more by medical advancements than by healthy living. This is proving a drain on the public purse and on employers in terms of absence, lost productivity and increasing insurance premiums.