The Heart Foundation of Jamaica has called for organisations islandwide to use the workplace to promote long-term behavioural changes that will benefit employers, employees and communities.

Pointing out that chronic diseases impact people in their working years, reducing productivity and increasing costs, the foundation encouraged companies to institute wellness programmes for their workers.

Heart disease and stroke are the world's leading causes of death, claiming 17.2 million lives per year.

Globally, half of those who die from chronic diseases are in their productive years and the economic consequences, driven by productivity reduction and increase in costs caused by these diseases among workforces, can be dramatic.

Improving workers holistically

Wellness programmes, the foundation said, have been shown to improve employee health, reduce employee stress, workforce turnover, improve employee decision-making ability and improve employee morale and loyalty.

It added that employment has a significant impact on the physical, mental and social health of individuals.

The foundation said the workplace is a prime location for the development of unhealthy lifestyles, characterised by stress, depression, chronic back problems, unhealthy eating habits due to lack of time, and decreased opportunity for physical activity due to nature of work, among other concerns.

By contrast, a healthy work environment is one that is conducive to good lifestyle habits and in which respect, support, security, safety, opportunities for learning and developing skills are prominent.

The Heart Foundation of Jamaica will mark World Heart Day with a public-awareness drive tomorrow.