Personalised healthcare can transform corporate wellness programs

“Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognise and appreciate until they have been depleted”. We each have our own preferences, attributes, lifestyles, and unique genetic makeup. Similar to what we would expect when it comes to other areas of life, in healthcare, one size does not fit all, and as employers, we should offer our team members tools and programs to better manage their health, be it physical or emotional.

Personalised healthcare is an approach that takes into account an individual’s unique health requirements, preferences, and family history. This approach uses advanced technology and data to tailor healthcare interventions and recommendations for each individual. The potential impact of personalised healthcare on corporate wellness programs could be significant, as it could lead to a more targeted and effective health and wellness plan for employees.

By identifying individual health risks and providing personalised prevention and early detection strategies, personalised healthcare can help prevent chronic diseases and address health issues before they become more serious and costly to treat.

Furthermore, personalised healthcare can also improve employee engagement and motivation by providing them with a sense of ownership and control over their health. With a personalised approach, employees are empowered to take charge of their health and make informed decisions about their lifestyle choices. This can lead to a more proactive approach to health and wellness, resulting in improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs for both employers and employees. In this way, personalised healthcare has the potential to revolutionise corporate wellness programs and transform the way we approach healthcare in the workplace.

The current approach to corporate wellness programs typically involves offering a standard set of health promotion activities and resources to all employees, regardless of their individual health needs, preferences, or genetic makeup. This is often referred to as a “one-size-fits-all” approach because it assumes that all employees have the same health risks and concerns and can benefit from the same interventions.

Examples of the activities and resources offered in a typical corporate wellness program may include health risk assessments, annual check-ups, fitness challenges, smoking cessation programmes, and healthy eating education. While these activities can be beneficial for some employees, they may not be effective for all employees, particularly those with unique health needs, different preferences, or at a different stage of their lives.

Additionally, the one-size-fits-all approach can lead to low employee engagement and limited success in improving health outcomes. Employees may feel that the programs are not relevant to their needs and may not participate, which can undermine the effectiveness of the programme as a whole. To address this issue, companies should consider offering a variety of wellness programs that cater to different employee needs and interests.

There are many studies that found that the implementation of a tailored wellness programme for working mothers had a positive impact on health issues and medical costs, either directly or indirectly. At Medix, we are seeing this as well. Through our programs already available in India and various collaborations with leading insurers, corporates and employee benefits specialists, we are seeing increased engagement and participation and, most importantly, measurable outcomes positively impacting employees’ health while also controlling cost. Through such partnerships, companies can provide their employees with easy access to high-quality healthcare services that are tailored specifically to them.

Employers have a responsibility to prioritise employee health and well-being, and implementing personalised healthcare programs can help them achieve this goal. By investing in personalised healthcare, companies can improve the health and well-being of their employees, reduce healthcare costs, and gain a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining top talent.

I would call on employers to consider incorporating personalised healthcare into their wellness programs. By offering health coaching, telemedicine services, personalised mental health services, and other tailored interventions, employees can receive the support they need. Employers who invest in personalised healthcare are investing in their employees’ long-term well-being and success. By providing these services, companies can attract top talent, improve retention rates, and ultimately boost their bottom line. It’s time for employers to take a proactive approach to employee health by incorporating personalised healthcare into their wellness programs.

(This article is authored by Ms. Sigal Atzmon, CEO & Founder of Medix Global)