What Employers Can Do About Diabetes Prevention and Management
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on November 1, 2023
What Employers Can Do About Diabetes Prevention and Management
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on November 1, 2023
Think about this: each and every day, millions of Canadians who are living with diabetes come to work juggling the responsibilities of their job with keeping their blood sugar in check, taking medications and eating regularly to control symptoms.
Over 11 million Canadians today are living with diabetes or prediabetes, but less than 50% of Canadians can identify the early warning signs of the disease.
At the same time, research shows that many Canadians struggle to access a regular health care provider – 12%, according to a recent report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.
Key actions plan members want to take to better manage their diabetes include: *
- 53% want to engage in more physical activity
- 52% are seeking healthier eating habits
- 22% aim to have better medication adherence
- 18% would benefit from mental health counseling
In fact, the desire for weight reduction was highest among plan members who were officially diagnosed with obesity (74%), diabetes (53%) and hypertension (47%).
Employers can help their employees connect with the care they need to prevent and manage chronic conditions like diabetes, as well as balance their work and health needs, by taking these simple, low-cost steps:
Be accommodating
Create a workplace that makes accommodations for the unique needs of employees with diabetes. This includes allowing them time to measure blood sugar and/or to inject insulin – in privacy. If necessary, install containers in washrooms to safely dispose of used needles.
Create a quiet space
Provide access to a quiet area where employees can go if they’re not feeling well or need their blood sugar level to return to normal, such as a first aid station.
Have healthy food on hand
A healthy diet and ready access to food are essential in managing diabetes. Offer nutritious choices at the cafeteria and/or in vending machines and at work functions.
Offer flu shots
Did you know that people with diabetes are three times more likely to die from the flu or pneumonia than those without the disease?
Employers can help their employees connect with the care they need to prevent and manage chronic conditions like diabetes, as well as balance their work and health needs, by taking these simple, low-cost steps:
Be accommodating
Create a workplace that makes accommodations for the unique needs of employees with diabetes. This includes allowing them time to measure blood sugar and/or to inject insulin – in privacy. If necessary, install containers in washrooms to safely dispose of used needles.
Create a quiet space
Provide access to a quiet area where employees can go if they’re not feeling well or need their blood sugar level to return to normal, such as a first aid station.
Have healthy food on hand
A healthy diet and ready access to food are essential in managing diabetes. Offer nutritious choices at the cafeteria and/or in vending machines and at work functions.
Offer flu shots
Did you know that people with diabetes are three times more likely to die from the flu or pneumonia than those without the disease?
Offer flu shots
Did you know that people with diabetes are three times more likely to die from the flu or pneumonia than those without the disease?
Make the connection
The direct link between lifestyle and diabetes is irrefutable. A workplace health and wellness program can make that connection and encourage employees to reduce risky behaviours, such as smoking, lack of exercise and overeating. When employees adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating healthy foods, getting regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight, they can reverse the onset of the disease, even slow or stop the progression of type 2 diabetes.
Just 30 minutes of physical activity per day can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 40%.
Raise awareness
Help employees learn the risks and effects of this disease by making diabetes the focus of your education and awareness activities. Provide literature from trusted sources like Diabetes Canada and share information in targeted emails, posters and desk drops, webinars or Intranet articles. Invite a local diabetes specialist to lead an information session, such as a lunch and learn, to reinforce the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
About 9 in 10 cases of type 2 diabetes can be avoided by healthier lifestyle practices.
Add Spending Accounts
Adding spending accounts to your benefit plan, such as Health Spending and Personal Wellness Accounts, can also play a role in disease prevention and management. How? Covering expenses outside your traditional plan incentivizes employees to enhance their health and wellness.
Offer coaching and support
Diabetes management is a life-long process. That’s why making access to health coaching and education is more than a nice-to-have. It’s a must! Check to see if your insurer covers specialized counselling to give your employees the knowledge and confidence they need to self-manage their disease.
Provide onsite screening
By warning employees they may be at risk of developing diabetes, it allows them to take action to prevent or even reverse the onset of the disease or, if caught early, halt or slow the progression of the disease. That’s why employers should consider bringing biometric screening to the workplace – an effective early detection and disease management tool.
Leverage technology
Metabolic sensors and mobile apps are among the digital tools being added to the diabetes prevention and management toolkit. These sensors can detect a metabolic change in the body, indicating that the person may be at risk of having diabetes. Acting on that warning could make all the difference in whether the person develops the disease or not.
Additionally, mobile apps can be used to improve medication adherence by sending out reminders to take drugs as prescribed, as well as helpful tips to stay active and eat smart.
Research shows that within a year of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, 25% of people are not taking medications as prescribed.
Go above and beyond
Coverage for diabetes treatment is included in virtually every employer-sponsored health plan. As an employer, investing in additional resources for your employees beyond core benefits can yield positive results such as improved health, increased happiness, and higher productivity. These benefits can enhance your company's overall performance and culture.
360 Total Care
360 Total Care is our innovative health coaching program designed to support members living with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obesity and is accessible through the 360 Care app. 360 Total Care is based on a quarterly subscription model and provides:
- Behavioural health coaching personalized by a team of specialized health coaches
- 1:1 assistance by a health concierge
- Digital health devices to help the member in their journey
- Self-care strategies, including reminders and resources
This program is eligible for reimbursement under our Health Coaching and Chronic Disease Management benefit. This program connects employees with specially trained chronic disease educators, online or in their communities, to help them better understand their condition and develop a personalized treatment plan. Educators are available for lung conditions like asthma/COPD, diabetes, heart issues like high blood pressure or cholesterol and smoking cessation.
Further, we offer a free Health Risk Assessment (HRA) tool that can help employees understand their risk of developing diabetes based on their responses to several questions about their health and lifestyle.
Sources:
Diabetes Canada
Harvard School of Public Health
National Institute of Health
*Data from 2024 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...