When employers think about chronic health conditions, diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease likely come to mind. But many employers may be missing a major driver of healthcare costs and absenteeism from their purview: gastrointestinal issues.
Gastrointestinal (GI) issues are defined as any condition that affects the digestive tract, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux and hemorrhoids. Given the nature of GI conditions, it’s often under-discussed in the workplace and even the doctor’s office, making the road to diagnosis and treatment a long one. Treatment doesn’t guarantee people will be able to return to normal either, says Sam Jactel, founder and CEO of Ayble, an employee benefit dedicated to gut health.
