Study Finds More Than Half of Employees Are Living With Chronic Conditions, Including 1 in 3 Gen Z and Millennial Employees

SAN FRANCISCO, April 30, 2024—A new study by One Medical, a leading national human-centered, technology-powered primary care organization, and Workplace Intelligence, a thought leadership and research agency focused on the world of work, found that chronic conditions may be having an outsized impact on employee well-being and productivity. 

According to the study of 1,600 U.S. workers and HR leaders, more than 3 out of 4 employees felt their health either worsened or stayed the same in 2023. Less than one-quarter (23%) said their health improved.

One reason for this could be the high prevalence of chronic conditions, for example hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. In the survey, over half (52%) of employees said they’re struggling with at least one chronic condition — and younger workers are not immune. In fact, more than 4 out of 10 Gen Z and Millennial respondents reported that they are living with a chronic condition.

Not only are chronic conditions highly detrimental to health and well-being, but they’re also impacting people at work. Twenty-eight percent of all workers surveyed — and nearly one-third (32%) of Gen Z and Millennials — are experiencing productivity issues due to a chronic condition.

For companies that want to reverse the trend of declining workforce health, it’s important to provide access to solutions that make it easier to engage with the care they need to get and stay healthy. As it is, more than half (51%) of employees said they feel overwhelmed when trying to navigate the health care system.

Survey Results

Chronic conditions affect the majority of today’s workforce, but employees aren’t getting the support they need.

• 52% of workers have a chronic condition, including many younger team members: Among Gen Z and Millennials, 41% and 42%, respectively, have at least one chronic condition.
• These conditions are taking a serious toll on productivity: 28% of all employees — and 32% of Gen Z and Millennials — are dealing with productivity loss due to a chronic condition.
• However, employees aren’t getting the support they need: Among workers with chronic conditions, 66% wish their company offered more health care benefits or options to help them manage their conditions.
• In particular, workers want help making lifestyle changes: More than 8 out of 10 workers with chronic conditions take medications. However, 74% would like the ability to manage their conditions with lifestyle changes, instead of with medication alone.

The path forward

Leaders should prioritize strategies and health care benefits that support employees who are struggling with chronic conditions.

• Prioritize preventive care: The vast majority of employees (94%) said a focus on preventive health is an important feature of a best-in-class health care experience. Workers with chronic conditions are especially likely to appreciate a preventive approach that incorporates lifestyle changes.
• Offer benefits that support chronic care: Over half (54%) of HR leaders said their company is adding solutions for chronic disease management in 2024. Impact by One Medical is a comprehensive approach for managing and preventing chronic conditions, combining high-touch care, education, and health navigation with an integrated technology platform.
• Increase awareness: Even though over half of workers have a chronic condition, an alarming 30% said their employer never communicates with them about the importance of seeking out treatment for these conditions. Fortunately, leaders reported that increasing benefits communication and awareness is a top priority for their organization in 2024.

Supporting Quotes

"At One Medical, we understand that chronic conditions have a significant impact on employees’ health and well-being; particularly their productivity and ability to thrive at work," said Hemalee Patel, Senior Medical Director of Chronic Care Management at One Medical. “To better support employees living with chronic conditions, it’s important to provide access to personalized care and effective solutions that support, equip and empower them to manage their conditions and achieve their full potential."

“It’s promising that leaders recognize the significant impact chronic conditions are having on people’s effectiveness at work,” said Dan Schawbel, Managing Partner at Workplace Intelligence. “However, employers aren’t giving employees the benefits and tools they need to effectively manage these conditions and prevent them from recurring. Employers who step up their support for their people will reap the benefits of a healthier and more committed workforce.”

Methodology

Research findings are based on a survey conducted by Workplace Intelligence and Walr and paid for by 1Life healthcare Inc. between December 7 – 19, 2023. The survey audience included 800 HR / Employee Benefits leaders and 800 employees who were working full-time, at least 18 years old, and living in the U.S. Respondents were invited to take part via email and were provided with a small monetary incentive for doing so.

About One Medical

One Medical is a U.S. national human-centered and technology-powered primary care organization with seamless digital health and inviting in-office care, convenient to where people work, shop, live, and click. One Medical’s vision is to delight millions of members with better health and better care while reducing costs, within a better team environment. One Medical’s mission is to transform health care for all through a human-centered, technology-powered model. Headquartered in San Francisco, 1Life healthcare, Inc. is the administrative and managerial services company for the affiliated One Medical physician-owned professional corporations that deliver medical services in-office and virtually. 1Life and the One Medical entities do business under the “One Medical” brand.

About Workplace Intelligence
Workplace Intelligence is an award-winning thought leadership and research agency focused on the world of work. We help companies, and their executives, tell their workplace story in a meaningful, relevant, and impactful way using primary data, insights, and interviews. For more information go to our website and subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter.