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By Sam Jactel CEO, Founder Ayble Health |
Overall, digestive conditions generate $140 billion in health care costs each year, more than heart disease, trauma and mental health.
Digestive Health Issues in the Workplace
Employers are increasingly recognizing the importance of employee wellbeing in driving productivity and overall success. However, one important health issue that is often overlooked is digestive health. A staggering 70 million Americans are living with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, which can lead to serious impacts on a GI patient’s personal life, impacting work productivity and absenteeism.
The Cost of Digestive Health Issues
Managing gut health problems frequently necessitates ongoing medical attention, resulting in high utilization, and can be expensive. Digestive conditions generate $140 billion in healthcare costs each year, more than heart disease, trauma, and mental health. GI patients cost employers 3 to 8 times more than a healthy adult, and GI issues are the fourth largest driver of employee-related healthcare costs.
Impact on Employee Productivity and Cost of Absenteeism
As the gut is inextricably linked to the brain, employees with digestive problems experience diagnosed mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD at three times the rate of healthy adults. A significant percentage of patients, around 50-70%, have an additional mental health condition, which can lead to reduced focus and productivity at their workplace. Additionally, imbalances in gut health can cause GI issues to flare and exacerbate symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain in women during menopause.
Between absenteeism and presenteeism, employees with gut health issues miss or are less productive for at least 11 work days each month or a total of over 130 days each year. This impacts employers as they bear the cost of a sick, absent workforce.
Challenges in Accessing Effective Digestive Care
Employees often face significant challenges when attempting to access effective digestive care. One critical issue is the scarcity of healthcare professionals who specialize in GI diseases. Gastroenterologists, the specialists primarily responsible for diagnosing and treating these conditions, are in high demand and short supply in many regions. This shortage translates to longer wait times for appointments, delayed diagnoses, and limited access to expert care.
Addressing Digestive Health in the Workplace
These intersections underscore the importance of employers addressing gut health as part of their comprehensive wellness initiatives. By recognizing the impact of digestive health on employee wellbeing, productivity, and healthcare costs, employers can take proactive steps to support their employees in accessing effective digestive care. By partnering with innovative companies like Ayble, employers can help their employees take control of their gut health.
About Ayble
Ayble is an all-in-one digital health app that provides best-in-class dietary and psychological support for patients throughout their GI journey. Ayble is the first and only gastroenterology company independently evaluated by the Validation Institute. Ayble’s program is 2x more effective than in-person or virtual dietetics and drives 30-40% better adherence to recommendations. Learn more
Read Ayble Health Validation report HERE.
