Approximately 76% of U.S. adults live with at least one chronic condition — yet employer costs for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and COPD keep climbing despite heavy investment in disease management. What if one of the largest drivers behind these conditions is going untreated in your population? This session connects the dots for benefit leaders and HR strategists.
Two leading PhDs in clinical psychology and addiction science examine the clinical link between substance use and the chronic conditions dominating employer spend. With the substance use landscape shifting in ways most benefit strategies aren't built for, this session pairs clinical evidence with actionable strategy. Join experts from Mercer and Pelago.
You'll walk away understanding:
- The link between substance use and your most expensive chronic conditions
- Why this cost driver rarely appears outwardly in claims data — and where it shows up instead
- How the evolving substance use landscape is evolving and what employers need to prepare for
- Where specialty care is delivering measurable ROI by treating the root cause
