By Donna St. Louis, vice president of Business Development, BayCare Health System
Employee health and wellness is important to BayCare. When employees are happy, and healthy, they feel good and perform their best at home and work.
But statistics show that the workforce, across the United States, is facing many challenges including ongoing stress, chronic health problems, behavioral issues and overall burnout. These ongoing problems are affecting quality of life and productivity.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six out of ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Also, one in five Americans experience mental health problems and millions deal with economic hardship and other life challenges.
For many years, BayCare has been working with local companies to help create a culture of health and wellness in the workplace. The leading local health system collaborates with local business partners to address health and wellness issues affecting employees across the community.
Disease Prevention
BayCare knows chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in America and a leading driver of health care costs.
As a community-driven health system, BayCare’s goal is to keep people healthy. That’s why BayCare brings various health care services to business campuses, conveniently and safely, using the system’s state-of-the-art mobile bus.
BayCare’s Employer Solutions and clinical teams across the system work together to provide health education seminars, flu vaccinations, diagnostic testing, colon screenings, breast mammograms, fitness and nutrition education, COVID-19 testing and occupational health and workers’ compensation services.
BayCare collaborates with BayCare Medical Group to help provide access to primary care services for local businesses. BayCare uses the mobile bus to provide physical exams to people who don’t have access to a primary care doctor.
“Our services connect local employees to our complete network of care,” says Dr. Jacquelyn Cawley, vice president of population health and chief medical officer for ambulatory care at BayCare. “These efforts help us keep people healthier and detect preventable health issues early, including heart disease, diabetes, as well as breast, colon and prostate cancers. As a result, people can live a better quality of life, be more productive in the workplace and help us reduce health care costs.”
Better Mental Health
Millions of people struggle with mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, affecting their overall health and wellbeing.
To address mental health among employees at local companies, BayCare Employer Solutions has joined forces with BayCare Behavioral Health.
The team works with many employers, in the Tampa Bay area, to provide a wide range of comprehensive mental health services to support workers’ emotional wellbeing and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Through the Employee Assistance Program, workers connect with licensed professionals on their specific mental health concerns.
Workplace Culture and Performance
A healthy workforce ensures workplace success and elevates company culture.
BayCare puts a heavy emphasis on employer education focused on fitness, nutrition and many other health topics. Workers live busy lives, so BayCare connects with employers to bring those services to their workplace, making it convenient and easily accessible in person or online.
BayCare also provides helpful information to encourage fitness and exercise, good daily nutrition and diet, and promote rest and personal time off.
“When employers show that they care, employees notice,” Dr. Cawley says. “Programs like these can motivate employees, build trust, create a dynamic work environment and make the workplace safer.”
For more information on BayCare Employer Solutions, click here.
