well being

It is surprising how blinkered we can be at times. And, even more surprising how big, ‘smart’ organisations with seemingly great mission statements and philosophies miss the importance of a little investment up front to save untold expense in the long term. If you work for a company or better still, own one then you might be in a position to implement an action plan based on the sobering information below – take note on the number 70%! That same stat holds true across most of the developed world which is why some health authorities are calling the coming fall out a ‘pandemic’. Serious times folks. You however, know what to do 🙂 Exercise is Medicine bringing physical activity to the workplace Studies show that low Cardio Respiratory Fitness contributes to more deaths than obesity, smoking and diabetes combined (Blair, S. 2010). With almost 70% of the Australian adult population failing to meet the minimum recommendations for physical activity, and the World Health Organisation and the Australian Government identifying the workplace as the ideal setting to promote physical activity, EIM Australia in partnership with the Healthier Australia Commitment has developed the Exercise is Medicine ’Physical Activity in the Workplace: A Guide’ and its associated resources. Recent research shows that workplace health programs result in, on average, a 25% decrease in sick leave absenteeism, 40% decrease in workers compensation costs, 24% decrease in disability management costs and $5.81 of savings for every $1 invested in employee wellbeing. (Health and Productivity Institute of Australia, 2010).