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Source: ONE News
A survey by Southern Cross Healthcare suggests 71% of New Zealand workers have a state of health worse than their actual age.
Chief executive Peter Tynan says that represents seven out of 10
Kiwis and the results are concerning because a healthy workforce is
a more productive workforce.
He says people who generally have worse lifestyle habits tend to
look older and function at an older age.
Tynan says the survey data suggests some workplaces may still have much to gain from health initiatives for their people such as vaccination programmes, help to stop smoking and on-the-job fitness programmes.
The survey shows 18% of the workforce has a health status equivalent to someone 10 or more years older than they are, while 53% have a health status one - nine years greater than their actual age.
Only 22% were rated as having a state of health 1-9 years below their age and a mere 2% at 10-years plus.
The formula used to determine workers' state of health took into account smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, alcohol consumption, nutrition, Body Mass Index (BMI), stress, quality of life and job satisfaction.
Tynan says the survey results are concerning because a healthy workforce is a more productive workforce and has less absenteeism.
