Chronic illnesses cost businesses roughly $30 billion every year

Estimated annual cost to employers: $30 billion

Healthy priorities

Rank of obesity among the greatest priority health issues facing employers, according to a study conducted by the National Business Group on Health: 1

Rank of smoking: 2

Unhealthy work snacks

Percentage of U.S. workers who say they eat unhealthy snacks (chips, candy, etc.) at work at least once a week, according to a survey conducted by Nationwide Better Health: 72

Percentage of U.S. workers who say they eat unhealthy snacks three or more times a week, not including breakfast, lunch or dinner: 27

Percentage of workers who say they are provided with healthy food selections in their cafeterias or vending machines: 42

Calling in “sick”

Percentage of U.S. workers who call in sick at the last minute for reasons other than physical illness, according to a survey conducted by CCH Inc.: 66

Ranks of family issues (22 percent), personal needs (18 percent), entitlement mentality (13 percent) and stress/burnout (13 percent) among reasons that workers call in sick: 1, 2, 3 (tie)

The working ill

Percentage of employers who report that “presenteeism” (showing up to work sick) is a problem in their organizations, according to a study by CCH: 38

Percentage of sick employees who show up to work that employers say are suffering from short-term illnesses such as cold and flu, which can be easily spread: 87

Percentage of employers who say they foster a culture that discourages employees from coming to work sick: 34

Travel risks

Percentage of travelers who are concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses while traveling, according to the results of TripAdvisor’s 2008 Travel Trends survey: 80

Percentage of travelers who said they tend to wash and disinfect their hands more often while traveling: 55

Percentage of Americans who either bring their own disinfectant and cleaning supplies, shower shoes, pillows, towels or linens, when going on a trip: 27

All stressed out?

Percentage of Americans who say they are living with “extreme” stress, according to a study by the American Psychological Association: 32

Percentage of Americans who say their stress has increased during the past five years: 48

Rank of money and work among the leading causes of stress for 75 percent of Americans: 1

Healthy holiday eating

Percentage of caterers who reported that offering guests healthy menu choices at holiday parties is a growing trend, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Catering Executives: 63

Percent who said that healthy-style menus are not more expensive than traditional holiday fare: 71

Caring for loved ones

Estimated number of family caregivers in the United States, according to MetLife Mature Market Institute: 50 million.

Estimated value of time donated annually to care for loved ones: $306 billion.

Idle Thought

“Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement.”

—Alfred Adler, doctor and psychologist

John MacIntyre is an author and former city magazine editor. His Figuratively Speaking column, launched in 1989, is published in more than 40 newspapers and magazines.[[In-content Ad]]