COVID-19 has heightened awareness of the severity of chronic disease and the health implications of poor lifestyle habits. November is National Diabetes Month and every year on November 14th, we recognize the impact that diabetes is having globally on World Diabetes Day. Awareness campaigns like these help to educate people about the risks, signs, associated costs, health consequences and prevention measures associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and are proving valuable in combating this growing worldwide epidemic.
These campaigns are important annual reminders that while we are making progress on the health and wellbeing front, there is still much to be done when it comes to addressing and reversing chronic health conditions. Managing your health is a daily activity, not an annual one, especially when it comes to chronic conditions. So, while organizations can spread the word once a year about diabetes, they also have an opportunity educate and empower at-risk individuals year-round to take steps to improve their health outcomes.
Did you know that employers were among the most trusted sources of health information during COVID-19? It’s likely that employees are looking to their employers for other reliable health information as well, meaning that organizations have a responsibility to arm their workforces with trustworthy information, education and support related to health and wellbeing.
Individuals and organizations are paying more attention to lifestyle-related conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity to reduce their risk of coronavirus complications, yet knowing where to start and finding the motivation to make change can be challenging.
Diabetes is a serious chronic condition that can often be prevented, managed or even reversed with the right lifestyle habits. While creating a physical environment to support your at-risk and diabetic employees is harder to do when the majority of your people are working from home, digital health platforms can empower your workforce to create their own healthy environment at home.