Presenteeism (when an employee comes to work but due to ill health is not fully productive) is estimated to cost the Australian economy more than $34 billion annually.
This equates to a decrease in gross domestic product (GDP) of 2.7%. Diabetes and its associated complications is a major factor in presenteeism.
ADC CEO Nicola Stokes said that, with one in four Australians with diabetes or pre-diabetes, the diabetes epidemic will impact upon Australia’s productivity and economic growth in future decades.
“Diabetes is growing at 8% per year and is one of the biggest threats to future employment growth, productivity and economic sustainability,” Ms Stokes said.
The Greater Western Sydney region contains the majority of Australia’s diabetes hotspots as measured by both postcode and federal electorate.
The electorate of Chifley is a good example of this. More than 20,000 people in the electorate are registered with the national Diabetes Support Scheme and the area has highest diabetes incidence rate in NSW at 6.66% of the population. Mt Druitt has a registered incidence of 8.11%. This compares to the state average of 5.6%.
Professor Glen Maberly, Senior Medical Advisor, Clinical Lead for Western Sydney Health Pathways, Western Sydney Local Health District said Western Sydney is experiencing a significant increase in the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes and its complications.
“The increasing prevalence of diabetes can be attributed to a number of factors,” Professor Maberly said.
“Most relevant is the increase in obesity; mainly due to unhealthy diets and inadequate physical activity. A difference in socio-economic status is one factor however does not explain the whole difference and more research in this area is needed. The fact remains that where you live does make a difference.
“Not one sector of our society can solve this problem alone. It will require a joint effort between community and government.
“We do know that at any age, if people lose a few kilos this can postpone the onset of diabetes for years, and if they already have diabetes, weight loss can significantly slow the rates of developing complications."
Smoking, excessive alcohol, lack of physical activity, low fruit and vegetable consumption are all risk factors which contribute to diabetes and associated chronic disease.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2010) suggests that 32 per cent of Australian’s health burden is attributed to these behaviours and choices; and that being overweight and obesity increase the likelihood of being diagnosed with a lifestyle-related chronic disease.
Undiagnosed diabetes can result in health complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, amputations and blindness.
Ms Stokes said that this drag on productivity is already being felt through presenteeism.
“A healthy workforce is a productive workforce, however a sick workforce will not keep Australia competitive in the face of increasing competition globally,” Ms Stokes said.
Statistics show that on average, 6.5 working days of productivity are lost per employee each year. While healthy workers are almost three times more productive than unhealthy workers, unhealthy workers will take up to nine times more sick leave.
“An investment commitment today by Government to tackle diabetes and presenteeism will result in increased productivity and therefore safeguard Australia’s future growth and economic prospects.”
Businesses which engage in workplace health programs can expect a return on investment of between $3 and $7 for every dollar spent.
Ms Stokes said that programs such as ADC’s Vitality Workplace Health use a multifaceted, customised approach to improving the health and wellbeing of employees.
