In the United States, diabetes has become a common disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37 million Americans, or 1 in 10 people, had diabetes as of this year. Unfortunately, that number will only increase in the years to come.
As a business owner, you are responsible for taking action against this disease. Not only is it costly for your employees when absent from work due to diabetes-related health problems, but it’s also bad for your bottom line. In this article, we’ll discuss five ways to reduce diabetes among your employees and improve their overall health and productivity.
Personal Trainer
Having a personal trainer is one of the best ways to improve your health. They can help you set and achieve fitness goals, advise healthy eating habits, and hold you accountable for your progress. If you have the budget, consider hiring a personal trainer for your employees.
The personal trainer can visit your office and train batches of employees at a time. It’s a great way to promote team building and bring your employees together for a common cause.
However, getting a personal trainer for your company must be insured. Specifically, make sure they have personal training insurance. It’ll cover any accidents that may happen during the training sessions. Since training is a highly physical endeavor, it can’t be avoided that some injuries might occur when it takes its course.
Corporate Gym Membership
If getting a personal trainer to visit your company isn’t feasible, another way to reduce diabetes among your employees is to offer them a corporate gym membership. It’s a benefit that will improve their health and save them money on their monthly gym bills.
When choosing a gym for your corporate membership, make sure to pick one that’s close to the office. It will make it more convenient for your employees and encourage them to go more often. You should also look for a gym with various fitness classes, so your employees can find something they’re interested in and stick with it. If you want to reduce the cost of these memberships, consider partnering with a nearby gym. Converse with them, and find a deal that’ll fit your budget.
Healthy Snacks
One of the quickest and easiest ways to reduce diabetes among your employees is by providing healthy snacks in the office. Unfortunately, people tend to crave unhealthy foods like candy bars or potato chips when blood sugar levels drop. This snacking behavior is one of the reasons why people get diabetes or get obese.
Essentially, snacking at the wrong time can lead to blood sugar spikes, which can cause diabetes. It’s unhealthy and it can sometimes be an unconscious behavior. To prevent your employees from falling into this trap, ensure healthy snacks are available in the office at all times. This way, when they get the urge to snack, they’ll have something healthy to eat instead of unhealthy junk food.
Healthy snacks you can keep in the office include:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole-grain crackers
- Low-fat yogurt
- Nuts and seeds
By giving your employees access to these options, they can snack healthily. However, it’s also essential to reduce snacking as much as possible.
Encourage Physical Activity
Another way to reduce diabetes among your employees is to encourage physical activity. You can do this by organizing company-wide fitness challenges or offering incentives for employees who meet their fitness goals.
You can also create a Walking Club where employees can walk during their lunch break or after work. This is a great way to get people moving and improve their health.
Get Health Insurance that Covers Diabetes
Finally, one of the best ways to reduce diabetes among your employees is to get health insurance covering diabetes. It will ensure that they can get the treatment they need and that you’re not paying for their medical bills.
There are a few things to look for when getting health insurance for your employees. First, ensure the plan covers type 1 and type 2 diabetes. You should also check if the plan covers insulin pumps and other treatments. Lastly, ensure the deductible is low enough that your employees can afford it.
By getting health insurance covering diabetes, you can ensure that your employees get the treatment they need. In addition, this will help them stay healthy and productive at work.
These are five ways you can reduce diabetes among your employees. By taking these steps, you can drastically reduce diabetes rates in your company and create a healthier workplace that improves the overall health of your employees.
