Manulife examines health of Canadian workforce in inaugural report

Manulife examines health of Canadian workforce in inaugural report | Insurance Business Canada

Insurance News

Two significant trends identified

Insurance News

By
Terry Gangcuangco

Manulife Canada has published its inaugural “Employee Health Report,” revealing insights into the health status of the Canadian workforce. The study delves into escalating health claims nationwide and aims to guide organizations in prioritizing investments in employee health and wellness while optimizing group benefits for members.

The new resource has identified two significant trends affecting Canadians across the country: a marked increase in medication use for treating obesity and a rise in prescriptions for substance abuse disorders.

According to Manulife’s analysis, the number of individuals using anti-obesity drugs increased by 42.3% in 2023, a total rise of 91.9% since 2020. Although global media attention on Ozempic has spurred interest, Health Canada does not approve this medication as an anti-obesity treatment and is excluded from the report’s findings.

In terms of demographics, women constitute 78.8% of the total claimants for anti-obesity medications, compared to 21.2% for men. The data also shows significant increases in Ontario (55.3%) and British Columbia (44.5%), highlighting a nationwide concern over weight management and the recognition of obesity as a chronic health issue.

Additionally, the report noted a 17.2% increase in Canadians seeking treatment for substance use disorders, with the jump registering at 52% since 2020.

Providing actionable data to help employers implement targeted health and wellness initiatives, the Employee Health Report suggests enhancing mental health service coverage, offering onsite health screenings and clinics, organizing wellness seminars, and expanding coverage for dietician and nutritional services.

Ashesh Desai, group benefits head for Manulife Canada, said: “As a proud health partner to the millions of Canadians we serve, we see firsthand how important it is for organizations to invest in their employees’ health. The 2024 Employee Health Report highlights critical health trends that can affect all Canadians, underscoring the urgency of addressing holistic, end-to-end employee health.

“These results mean we can all do more to help foster healthier Canadian lives. Wellbeing is not just beneficial for bottom lines, but essential for employees’ quality of life. With top organizations showing meaningful productivity gains – up to 13 additional days per employee compared to their counterparts – it is clear that investing in employee health can pay off.”

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