CEOs discuss companies’ role in promoting employee health

The panel that is part of the Saúde & Bem-Estar 2023 Summit program brings together business leaders from different sectors of the economy

How are companies helping people live healthier lives, both inside and outside the workplace? This is the central theme of the debate promoted by UnitedHealth Group Brasil on the occasion of the Saúde & Bem-Estar 2023 Summit, Estadaoscheduled for Thursday 5 October, at 3.30 pm, mediated by the journalist Roberta Russo.

“The first big challenge is access to adequate care. Today only a quarter of the Brazilian population is covered by health plans and the network of private services, while the rest depends on the Unified Health System”, says Ricardo Bottas, CEO of the UnitedHealth Brazil group, composed of Amil, Amil Dental and the Americas hospital network.

“As for who has access to the system, another challenge is the imbalance resulting from rising healthcare costs, which are growing at a faster pace than the ability of people and companies to pay,” assesses the event host , which will also be attended by Luiz Sergio Vieira, CEO of the consultancy firm EY, and Marcos Zavanella, president and CEO of Schaeffler América do Sul, a company in the mobility sector.

Vieira, from EY, highlights how difficult it has been for most people to find a balance between their personal and professional lives, including the time and willingness to carry out healthy activities on a daily basis. He says EY seeks to collectively develop a culture of well-being, involving individual and corporate choices. “We create a light and welcoming collaborative environment for everyone to seek emotional, physical, financial and social balance.”

To achieve this, EY created a Wellbeing Committee, with the mission of discussing good corporate practices and mindsets. “One form of action is through a network of ambassadors, leaders with great affinity with the topic and ready to encourage commitment to well-being among our people,” describes Vieira.

Multiplier power

“It is very common for us to put our health on the back burner due to our hectic and busy schedules and lives. We shouldn’t

remind us of our health only when we lack it”, underlines Zavanella, of Schaeffler. He believes that, by promoting real awareness among the 3 thousand employees of the Sorocaba (SP) unit on what health is, the company actually reaches a very public broader, made up of family members, neighbors and friends who can be influenced by the same vision.

The company operates the Schaeffler Club, which offers various social, cultural and sporting activities for employees and their families. Every month a campaign is created with a specific health theme, involving actions aimed at the internal public, which participates in the planning with suggestions. This is how, for example, the idea of ​​creating a wellness space within one of the industrial areas was born.

Since the pandemic, mental health care has taken on even greater importance. Schaeffler has strengthened the guidelines of the continuous training program that aims to train leaders to observe, listen and welcome employees. EY launched EYWeCare, which aims to strengthen the emotional health of the team, with activities focused on wellbeing, inspiration and a sense of belonging. In 2021, UnitedHealth Group Brasil created the Mente Viva program, where employees voluntarily act as transformative agents. Aimed at the internal public, suppliers, third parties or temporary workers, the initiative helps to break prejudices, stigmas and taboos related to mental health.

Bottas, of UnitedHealth Group Brasil, reminds us that, in addition to corporate actions, there is the essential responsibility that every person has for their own health. «It is necessary to commit to treatment: control your weight, carry out tests appropriate to the risks of your clinical condition, electively consult doctors in their offices, avoiding doing so only in the event of a hospital emergency. The reward is living longer and better. for women, companies maintain the advantage of guaranteeing access to healthcare for their employees and families”, explains the executive.

Visit https://summitsaude.estadao.com.br/ to register and follow the debate.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.