Why Family Wellness Matters

October 31, 2011

Promoting family health and well-being with wellness and work-life initiatives makes good business sense:

• Each dependent costs employers $1780/year on average, and employer healthcare costs are increasing at a median rate of 6% a year.
• According to the National Business Group on Health, approximately 33% of large employers’ beneficiaries are dependents under age 25.
• Children and teens account for 14.7% of typical healthcare costs for a large employer — not including the loss of productivity for working parents of sick and injured children.
• 24 million working adults care for family members over age 50, working an average of 19 hours a week in their caregiving roles.
• A 2010 study shows that workers caring for elderly family members incur an average of 8% more in healthcare costs than non-caregivers. An estimated $17.1 billion-$33.6 billion is lost annually to caregiving-related workday interruptions, absenteeism, worker replacement, and moving from full-time to part-time work.
• Employees with jobs that positively affect their energy levels at home — and vice versa — are more likely to be engaged, feel satisfied, and remain with their current employers. In a study of 8000 corporate leaders, having a supportive work environment, a challenging job, and a good fit between life on and off the job were valued more than being well compensated.

To learn more about family health and why it matters, check out this Health Enhancement Systems white paper: Promoting Wellness on the Home Front: The Business Case for Targeting Family Health and Well-Being.