COVID-19 and Employer Sponsored Health Programs
April 22, 2020 · Matt Brock
The Importance of Employer Sponsored Health Programs During COVID-19 and Beyond
The COVID-19 global pandemic has brought many challenges—especially for employers that are trying to keep their workforce safe and healthy. That goal is even more challenging for employees who are at higher risk of severe illness. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention indicates that in addition to people over 65, those with the following underlying
medical conditions are most at risk of serious complications from COVID-19:
- Chronic lung disease, such as COPD and moderate to severe asthma.
- Heart disease.
- Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher).
- Diabetes.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Liver disease.
- Immunocompromised.
For many employers, these conditions—especially diabetes and obesity- are common among their workforce. As a result, employer-sponsored health and well-being programs are more critical than ever. Given that many nonessential doctor visits are being rescheduled during the pandemic, these programs provide behind-the-scenes support to help individuals manage chronic conditions and lower their risk of severe illness. If you are an employer, now’s the time to make sure your programs are doing everything they can to engage eligible participants.
NCQA Resources
Population Health Management Program
Wellness and Health Promotion Accreditation
