Preventive Health Care in Organizations

With rising health care costs, many companies try to compensate by cutting programs or raising premiums. But one company, Dow Chemical, is concentrating on the preventive side of health care. I think this is a much better alternative. Encouraging employees to get healthy and providing resources will ultimately save money when it comes to health care costs.

Dow Chemical even has on-site clinics and medical personnel on staff. Granted, they are a larger firm and have the resources to do this, but they also claim they have lowered their ” costs for providing health insurance to workers in the U.S.”

And if they can do it, other companies can as well. It doesn’t have to be a huge effort (after all, not every organization can afford a health clinic) but it could very well include exercise sessions offered right at work or having a nurse or medical professional come in to talk with employees. I think the important part here is focusing on prevention rather than punishing employees who do end up getting sick. Just that small change in thinking can make a huge difference.

Image: sxc.hu