Executives
are valuable people.
Executives are the most
valuable people in an organization. Their extensive experience and
superb managerial skills are costly and difficult to replace. This is why all major
companies invest in the health of their senior staff with annual medical “check-ups”.
Today, people starting as young
as forty, are likely to be afflicted with one of the so-called
"lifestyle" diseases (cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes
and so on) and the truth is, clinical research shows clearly that
"check-ups" do very little to reduce the risk of death and
disability from these conditions.
Looking for disease
does not reduce the risk of disease.
Medical investigations do not
constitute a cost-effective response to the threat of lifestyle diseases. The only meaningful program is one that
is specifically designed to reduce risk - and that means reducing the risk
factors for disease.
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Obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes,
a poor lipid profile, stress, poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, alcohol abuse,
late detection of cancer and sedentary lifestyles are the major factors affecting
the health of executives. These factors are unlikely to change as a
consequence of an annual medical examination.
The health of all executives has to be
promoted. This means Wellness Programs that proactively
increase personal responsibility, induce changes in behaviour and provide support
as well as feedback.
The goal is
higher standards of
health and well-being for all executives and not just those
who are found to be clinically unwell.
Bottom line: Executive Wellness Programs saves
lives and money through prevention. Prevention is not only better, but cheaper
than cure. We all know it; now is the time to do it!