While the vast majority of Arizonans say their health could be improved, most don’t take steps to control preventable health conditions, according to Arizona HealthPulsesm, a new research report released by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Arizona HealthPulse reveals the results of a comprehensive health risk assessment and answers to general questions about health and its impact on job performance and how Arizonans’ health may require some improvements. More than 3,000 Arizonans across all 15 counties statewide completed a Health Risk Assessment between May and June 2007 for this study.
“This research sends a message about opportunities for individuals and employers to benefit from managing preventable health issues,” said Richard L. Boals, president and chief executive officer of BCBSAZ. “The challenge for the health care community is to help educate people about the impact of poor health and motivate them to take action toward healthier lifestyle behaviors. In the end, when the workforce becomes healthier – both employees and their employers will reap the benefits of improved workplace productivity and help control long-term health care costs.”
Key findings of the Arizona HealthPulse include:
Arizonans’ overall health is on the decline. Eighty-seven percent of respondents reported that their health could be improved. This figure is an increase of 8 percentage points above data collected in 2006. Only 13 percent of Arizonans who completed the assessment reported that they are in “excellent” health.
Employee absenteeism and workplace productivity are impacted by health problems of Arizonans. Nearly one-fourth (22 percent) of employed respondents said that poor health caused them to miss at least one day of work during the past three months and 13 percent missed more than two days. More than half of the respondents (53 percent) reported that their health impaired their work performance at times.
Two in three Arizonans are either overweight or obese. Thirty-six percent of respondents reported a body mass index (BMI) that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies as overweight and 30 percent recorded a BMI classified as obese.
Arizonans reported a high level of stress. Nearly half of those completing the health assessment (45 percent) reported feeling overwhelmed with pressure and stress either a “fair,” “moderate” or “significant” amount of the time.
Arizonans do not get enough sleep and are not taking advantage of vacation benefits to de-stress, relax and recharge. Nearly two-thirds of Arizonans did not get the recommended seven hours or more of sleep per night. Respondents also reported that they only used an average of 62 percent of vacation time provided by employers and about one in six took no vacation at all.
A large percentage of Arizonans are foregoing important preventive care. More than four in ten women (42 percent) over age 40 that completed the health assessment reported that they had not had a professional breast examination during the past year. Similarly, 43 percent of male respondents over 50 reported that they had not had a PSA (prostate) test within the past year.
Poor nutrition and lack of exercise are major factors contributing to the overall poor state of health of Arizonans. More than half of respondents indicated that they choose high-fat foods at least as often as low-fat foods. Almost seven in 10 (69 percent) reported that they do not exercise on a regular basis.
Knowledge among Arizonans of key health indicators is very low. Ninety-three percent of respondents were not aware of their HDL (“good cholesterol”) level and 78 percent did not know their overall cholesterol level. In addition, 83 percent did not know their blood sugar level.
Employed respondents who work for an employer that offers a wellness program and who participate in the program are more likely than others to report they are in excellent or good health. However, only 32 percent of employed respondents reported that they work for a company that offers such a program and only half of those employees said they actually participate in the program.
To download a copy of the entire Arizona HealthPulse report – including county-by-county information - visit www.AZHealthPulse.com.
About Arizona HealthPulse
Arizona HealthPulse was conducted on behalf of BCBSAZ by WestGroup Research. The margin of error for the sample at the 95 percent confidence level is plus or minus 1.8 percent. Aggregate data in the report was weighted by county to show an accurate representation of the population distribution in Arizona. The HSM Group confirmed all statistical analysis performed by WestGroup. WestGroup Research and HSM Group are independent companies that are not affiliated with BCBSAZ and conduct market research on behalf of BCBSAZ.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services or networks to more than 1.1 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tempe and Tucson, the company employs more than 1,500 Arizonans. For information about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and its community programs such as WalkingWorks, please visit www.azblue.com.