Health issues responsible for 50% of unproductivity – Study

A study on the impact of poor health on businesses and the broader economy has revealed that hypertension (BP) and diabetes rank high as key health issues affecting productivity in the country.

The research, done by RiviaCo, a healthcare service provider, used findings from blood donation drives and health screenings.

RiviaCo indicates that 54 percent of Ghana’s labour force, aged 27-62 in a study covering 23,000 patients, is highly hypertensive – with a prevalence of 68 percent among men.

According to the research, diabetes’ prevalence stands at 37 percent, kidney disease at 23 percent, cancers at 26 percent, with mental health problems accounting for 36 percent unproductivity rate among the country’s workforce.

The findings further disclosed that work-related stress and mental health issues are leading contributors to absenteeism in workplaces.

More worryingly, the study mentioned that 50 percent of a sample population of 80,000 working people have undiagnosed or poorly-managed diabetes.

Equally, it stated that there is a rising renal condition among male workforce, currently at 23 percent – due to lifestyle factors such as high-salt diets, excessive alcohol intake and stimulant misuse.

These factors, the organization said, are driving up kidney diseases particularly among younger populations of the labour force.

It argues that unlike education, homes or cars, healthcare expenses are often viewed as costs rather than investments.

The organisation noted that health is the cornerstone of productivity and long-term prosperity, stressing that prioritising it is crucial for businesses, governments and individuals alike.

“Employees should have access to proactive healthcare, which include timely diagnosis rather than relying on self-diagnosis or ignoring symptoms. Routine health checks must be prioritised and preventive care such as workplace wellness, stress management clinics and nutrition education must be key priorities for companies and employers,” RiviaCO said.

The economic case for health investments

Indeed, investment in health yields a triple benefit for businesses, individuals and the economy as early intervention and diagnosis minimise productivity loss, improve outcomes and lead to economic growth.

Data shows that when employees are physically and mentally well, their productivity increases, innovation flourishes and economic outcomes improve.

According to the organization, addressing preventable conditions like hypertension and diabetes – both of which affect over 50 percent of the country’s working population – can reclaim up to 20 percent of lost productive hours, translating into millions of money in recovered revenue for businesses annually.

Throughout 2024, RiviaCO collected over 400,000 data points across parameters like health conditions, demographics, disease causes and employee well-being. The company said the insights gathered are revealing and highlight the urgent need for health action.

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