Taking care of employees' health is a big part of making sure they feel their best at work. And one important part of health that often gets overlooked?

Blood pressure.

The numbers are staggering: nearly half of U.S. adults — 48.1%, or 119.9 million people — have high blood pressure. That’s defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mmHg, or individuals who are taking blood pressure medication to manage it.

Having high blood pressure puts people at serious increased risk for heart disease and stroke — two of the leading causes of death in the United States. In fact, in 2022 alone, high blood pressure was the primary contributing factor in 685,875 deaths across the country.

High blood pressure doesn’t usually have clear signs, but it can cause big problems if it’s not managed. That’s why it’s important for companies to keep their workers’ heart health on their radar. When employers help employees stay on top of their blood pressure, they’re investing in a healthier, happier workforce.

Here’s why employers should start paying attention to high blood pressure at work.

Ever wonder how healthy you really are?

That’s where biometric screenings come in! 

These quick health check-ups measure things like blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels to give you a snapshot of your overall health. They can even catch early warning signs of potential health issues.

Biometric screenings are a popular benefit in workplace wellness programs — and for good reason! They’re a fantastic way to help employees keep tabs on their health. In fact, 42% of large firms offered employees the opportunity to complete a biometric health screening in 2023.

While this is pretty consistent with recent trends, it's still below the 52% of large companies offering screenings before the pandemic. We want to see even more businesses—both large and small — offering these screenings. Why? Because they’re so valuable for employee health and well-being.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about biometric screenings—what they are, why they’re important, and how they work. Let’s dive in!

Are you looking for a fun and exciting way to involve your employees in biometric screenings?  

We have the perfect idea for you: a Health Quest Scavenger Hunt! 

This engaging activity not only makes health checks more enjoyable but also helps everyone learn more about staying healthy, fostering a sense of curiosity and interest.

Let’s dive into how you can set up this awesome event.

Would you like to enhance the overall health of your employees?

Biometric screenings can be a game-changer.

These screenings collect crucial health data to assess whether an individual is in good health or has any health issues that require attention. Companies can offer wellness screenings on-site, at local labs, with visits to primary care physicians, or through home kits to monitor employee health.

In 2023, TotalWellness collected data from over 127,000 individuals, encompassing top executives to frontline employees. These screenings provide a comprehensive overview of employee health across various industries, offering valuable insights into the wellness of employees across the United States.

We are excited to present our nationwide results for 2023 below.

Imagine this: a hassle-free, time-efficient health checkup that takes place right where your employees spend most of their day.

That's the beauty of an on-site biometric screening.

It's a powerful tool that unveils your employees' baseline health scores, paving the way for a future of informed decisions and proactive wellness.

But even with all the valuable insights screenings provide, we know you still want to ensure you're getting the biggest bang for your buck.

That's why we've gathered a list to help you optimize your biometric screening experience and get the most out of your investment. Whether you're a seasoned HR guru or a newbie to the game, we've got insider tips and expert advice that will have you feeling like a wellness pro in no time.

So, let's dive into the nitty-gritty details of biometric screening programs. 

Health problems can be sneaky.

Sometimes, it isn’t until you feel that twinge in your chest or shortness of breath that you realize something is seriously wrong. In other cases, you may feel fine. Nothing shows up out of the ordinary until the doc runs bloodwork.

Like it or not, there are several health conditions that develop quietly with few — or zero — symptoms.

Luckily, biometric screenings may detect early warning signs so employees can address conditions before they become problematic. Even if you don’t host biometric screenings in your workplace, encouraging your employees to do their annual blood tests can save a life.

Here’s a look at three often symptomless conditions biometric screening results can detect:

Just like that, the new year is roaring in.

January is the time when everyone is making their resolutions to eat healthier, get stronger, and hit the gym more.

In general, people are interested in creating positive lifestyle changes.

To ride that wave of wellness enthusiasm, it’s smart to snag your employees’ attention about getting a biometric screening. These screenings are a perfect starting point for your employees to track their health from January and on.

It may also inspire them to knock out the rest of their necessary annual testing, too.

Below we dive into several important health tests and screenings everyone should schedule for a happy and healthy new year.

Wouldn’t you love to see your staff healthier?

Other than creating a healthy work culture, you have other ways to support your staff in achieving their health goals.

Biometric screenings offer an inside look at how healthy your staff is so you can tailor wellness initiatives to meet your employees where they’re at. When it comes to health checks like biometric screenings, we find there are a lot of misperceptions and questions.

We’d love to clear those details up.

This post will cover questions both employers and employees want to know — like how to get employees to attend screenings and if it replaces an annual physical exam.

Here we bust myths and answer all your pressing biometric screening questions.

Is your company leadership thinking about hosting a biometric health screening?

The results of a biometric screening can drive wellness initiatives that create an overall healthier workforce.

It's also a great investment in the health of individual employees. These screenings can help employees take the first step to healthier living by knowing what their baseline of health looks like.

A biometric screening includes:

• Blood pressure
• Height/Weight/Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Waist circumference
• Glucose
• Total cholesterol
• HDL
• LDL
• Triglycerides

On-site biometric screenings are an easy way for employees to get instant results and health directives. It also provides leadership a full picture of the overall health of their team.

Curious about the benefits of hosting one? 

Here are five reasons why hosting an on-site biometric health screening is a great idea:

Have you been thinking about scheduling a biometric health screening for your workplace?

If so, it’s probably less time intensive than you think. While there are some downfalls you can’t control — how many people will participate?! — there are a lot of positives to getting the overall data on the health of your employees.

Here we dive into the details — including pros and cons — of biometric health screenings.