Researchers estimate that 75% of all healthcare costs directly stem from preventable chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension.
The American Diabetes Association is here to help! Join us on Thursday, February 20, from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. for the 2014 Stop Diabetes @ Work Wellness Symposium and learn how to utilize free community resources to make your workplace healthier.
At the Stop Diabetes @ Work Symposium, you will learn from community experts about how diabetes is impacting San Antonio businesses. We will have everything your Human Resource and/or Wellness Manager needs to help change the statistics for your employees and implement a culture of health and wellness – for FREE!
WHO:
The American Diabetes Association
WHAT:
2014 Stop Diabetes @ Work Wellness Symposium
WHEN:
Thursday, February 20th, 7:30 – 10:30am
WHERE:
Broadway Bank – Charles Cheever Administration Building
(1177 N. E. Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78209)
COST:
Free! (Healthy continental breakfast included)
HOW:
Register today – email Lisa Gibson at lgibson@diabetes.org or call (210) 829-1765 ext. 6124
Seating is limited!
More than 1 in 7 San Antonio residents have been diagnosed with diabetes, which is drastically higher than the U.S. national average of 9%. Total nationwide annual cost of diagnosed diabetes in 2012 was $245 billion. The American Diabetes Association estimates that $1 in $5 health care dollars is spent caring for someone with diagnosed diabetes.
There is a critical need to focus on diabetes in the workplace as the diabetes epidemic continues to grow. For companies large and small, a key to controlling spiraling health costs is to help employees prevent and manage diabetes. Strategies for preventing and controlling diabetes can also reduce the risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Research has shown that lifestyle modifications can reverse this trend and improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Lifestyle changes also can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain types of cancer, and sleep apnea.
Worksite wellness programs that encourage, educate and motivate employees to make lifestyle modifications are cost-effective and can lead to greater productivity. For example, employees with diabetes who improve their glucose control have significantly higher productivity and lower absenteeism. Health plan expenses are 26% lower for employees whose diabetes is in good control than for those employees whose diabetes is in poor control.
For that reason, the American Diabetes Association offers Stop Diabetes @ Work (SD@W), an evidence-based program that, in cooperation with employers, addresses diabetes awareness, detection, prevention, and successful management. This program can be used as a stand-alone healthy worksite initiative or it can be used in conjunction with a larger worksite wellness program.
The diabetes epidemic continues to grow and your current and future employees are being affected at an alarming rate. The connection between work environments, employee health, and employee productivity is clear. Prevention makes good business sense. Investing in awareness, behavior change, and environmental support can lead to short-term and long-term improvements in employee health and productivity. The American Diabetes Association’s Stop Diabetes @ Work resources can help.
For more information about Stop Diabetes @ Work or the 2014 Stop Diabetes @ Work Wellness Symposium, contact David Whitt at dwhitt@diabetes.org or (210) 829-1765 ext. 6127.