What 100 Employees Look Like

I am speaking on behalf of St. David’s HealthCare at the Go Red for Women’s Executive Breakfast on October 23, 2015, on worksite wellness and women’s health. I thought to give perspective to the health of our nation using the CDC national statistics, and reducing those as they might apply to a 100 employee, employer group.  Although this is not an exact science, it makes for easy math and it tells the story loud and clear. 

​If you have 100 employees age 18 and over:

• 3 have pre-diabetes
• 9 have diabetes
• 35 are overweight
• 28 are obese
• 52 are regular alcohol drinkers
• 13 are infrequent alcohol drinkers
• 10 are depressed
• 8 have been told that had some form of cancer (had ever been told)
• 11 have been told by  doctor or other health professional that have heart disease 
• 6 have coronary artery disease (have ever been told)
• 24 have hypertension (have been told on two or more visits) 

Because employers have access to many lives, I propose it is our social responsibility to offer worksite services and strategies to keep people healthy, moving and productive.  In 1960, 50% of our jobs included moderate physical activity and now only 20% of our jobs include moderate physical activity.  An onsite walking path only needs to be measured, marked with signage and then, encourage walking breaks.  It doesn’t need to take much time or money. 

Wellness is a state of wellbeing and that includes a culmination of life and health giving habits.  It is not only the “physical” that matters.  It truly is the mind, body, spirit connection.

That means you are nurturing and fueling your mind, your are getting rest, you are eating mostly fruits and vegetables, you are drinking water, you are getting physical activity every day or most days at the least, you have a social outlet, and you have purposeful work, you enjoy the people you work with, you are well suited for your work, and it comes with a good culture and good leadership.  

We are all searching for meaning and I think sometimes we make that way too hard.   I have the solution for you.

Focus on the good and what is working in your life and not what is wrong.  Write down everything good in your life and then review it everyday.  What you focus on expands.

Do this for a week and share with me how much better you feel.  Let me know.


Health Inspires.



Source: CDC. Vital and Health Statistics: Series 10, number 260, Feb 2014. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2012.  10/19/2015

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