Heart disease is the cause of death for one out of five women in the U.S., and is developing in younger women at an alarming rate. Employers who
Forty-four percent of women over 20 already have some form of clinical cardiovascular disease, or CVD, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Despite its prevalence, half of women are not aware that it is the leading cause of death among their gender, as well as the number one cause of
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According to the World Heart Federation, the majority of CVD conditions — 80% — are preventable with proper attention to good health. Health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes increase the risk of CVD, and are good starting points for employers to focus on as they think about women-specific healthcare benefit offerings.
"Employers need to be educated so they can, in turn, educate their employees," says Candice Sherman, CEO of NEBGH. "A healthier workforce ultimately has less healthcare costs, and in terms of more indirect benefits, [they] have increased presenteeism and are more energetic and committed. If you're struggling at work with a health condition, you're not going to be as productive as you would be if you were operating on all cylinders."
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NEBGH
To do so, employers should consider providing access to standing desks or treadmills, creating meditation spaces and offering nutritious catered meals. Additionally, Sherman highlights the benefits of women's employee resource groups, and encourages on-site screenings for things such as blood pressure. Lastly, employers should focus on adding targeted digital health platforms to supplement other general healthcare offerings.
"Offering digital primary care is important, but employers have a variety of other prevention and chronic disease management tools they offer employees," Sherman says. "Apps or digital platforms that enable folks to track how healthy they are eating, how many steps they are taking, how is their sleep, what is their stress level — all of that is preventive."
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With an increased level of CVD-related education, employers are also equipping women with the knowledge they need to advocate for themselves in the healthcare system, where the gap in awareness sometimes exists as well, says Sherman. According to one study, women are seven times more likely to be misdiagnosed by medical professionals and discharged in the midst of a heart attack, underscoring the need for women to be aware that their heart attack symptoms may appear different than those found in men — another area outlined in NEBGH's guide.
"Historically, women have been dismissed by health care providers, and that continues to be an issue," Sherman says. "It's important for women to feel they are being taken seriously and advocate for themselves in the healthcare arena."
