In recent years, a silent epidemic has been sweeping the globe, taking more lives annually than all forms of cancer combined. It is the leading cause of death worldwide, claiming over 17 million lives each year. And as the number one cause of death in the Middle East and North Africa region it is responsible for 40 percent of deaths across the Emirates, with some of its leading risk factors like dyslipidaemia being prevalent in more than 72 percent of Emirati adults.
It’s called Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), a condition characterised by the narrowing and hardening of arteries due to plaque build-up. ASCVD has emerged as a grave global health crisis, with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle contributing to its high burden on society.
What makes this condition so concerning is the silence with which it attacks. ASCVD often progresses without any noticeable symptoms, until a severe event occurs. This stealthy nature makes it particularly dangerous because individuals may remain unaware of the underlying disease until a major cardiovascular event strikes suddenly, potentially resulting in serious consequences or even death.
It’s not just individuals who are affected; businesses also bear the brunt of this disease. Patients require time off work to recover from illness or surgery, resulting in income losses. Additionally, reduced work-related productivity negatively impacts employers and diminishes overall output for the wider economy.
In the UAE, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as ASCVD impose a significant economic burden. Beyond the direct costs associated with these diseases, their impact on human capital further affects economies. This impact encompasses factors such as premature death, early retirement, reduced productivity, and increased absenteeism, all of which result in significant indirect costs.
That’s why early detection, regular check-ups, and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle are so important; more crucial than ever, in fact, as incidences of ASCVD continue to rise across the Gulf and beyond. High level of bad cholesterol also known as LDL-C is a key contributor to ASCVD, and early detection enables the implementation of appropriate interventions, such as lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, and, in most cases, appropriate treatment, to effectively manage cholesterol levels.
But the responsibility of addressing this health crisis does not fall solely on individuals. According to Edelman’s 2023 Trust Barometer, 47 percent of employees believe that businesses are not sufficiently taking action to improve access to high-quality healthcare. This finding highlights the significant responsibility employers have in fostering heart health and overall well-being among their workforces.
Additionally, 69 percent of employees expressed that their employer’s societal impact, particularly in terms of enhancing healthcare access, is a crucial factor they consider when evaluating a job opportunity.
By prioritising employee health and integrating initiatives to get their cholesterol checked, businesses can make a tangible impact on the overall health and productivity of their employees. When employees are in good health, they are more likely to be engaged, focused, and motivated. On the other hand, poor health can lead to absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased healthcare costs for both employees and employers.
By categorising individuals based on their cardiovascular risk factors, such as low, moderate, high, or very high, and setting specific targets for LDL cholesterol levels, such as below 116mg/dL (3 mmol/L) for low-risk, below 100mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L) for moderate risk, below 70mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) for high risk, and below 55mg/dL (1.4 mmol/L) for very high risk, employers can empower employees to make informed decisions and take proactive preventive measures.
This approach removes barriers to healthcare access and encourages a proactive approach to maintaining heart health. Furthermore, employers can take proactive measures by implementing wellness programmes that focus on heart health education and lifestyle interventions. These programmes can include initiatives such as workshops on healthy eating, exercise challenges, and stress management techniques. This is something we’ve done for years at Novartis.
In March of this year, we launched the ‘Unblocked’ challenge throughout the Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa region, aimed at promoting heart health. We created challenges for our associates to participate in, incentivising them to adopt physical activities that contribute to a healthier lifestyle overall.
We also initiated a cholesterol screening campaign for our associates at the Gulf head office in the UAE. And, in honour of World Heart Day in September, we have launched Phase 2 of the challenge to encourage our associates to get regular cholesterol screenings and raise awareness about the importance of cholesterol testing and overall heart health within their personal communities.
No doubt, promoting heart health in the workplace is not only a compassionate and responsible action but also a wise business decision; and as the global burden of ASCVD continues to rise, employers have a crucial role to play.
By prioritising heart health and providing opportunities for employees to get their heart health checked, businesses can make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of their workforce and contribute to healthier societies at large.