The Rising Impact of Diabetes on Workplace Productivity and Employee Health

As we approach National Diabetes Month this November, it’s an important moment for employers to take a closer look at diabetes in the workforce. Diabetes is a chronic condition that impacts millions of Americans and presents substantial challenges for organizations in terms of healthcare costs, absenteeism and decreased workplace productivity.  

To improve overall employee health and well-being, supporting employees in managing diabetes and common comorbid conditions is a critical part of any health strategy. While medications like GLP-1s play an increasingly important role in diabetes management, lifestyle and behavioral modifications cannot be overlooked for sustainable diabetes management.  

The True Cost of Diabetes in the Workplace 

Diabetes affects around 38 million people in the U.S., making it a common chronic condition that is difficult to manage due to lifestyle changes and ongoing behavioral needs. Diabetes places significant pressure on healthcare costs for employers. U.S. companies incur $413 billion annually in diabetes-related costs alone.  

Additionally, the yearly healthcare cost for an employee with diabetes is $20,000–six times higher than someone without–and costs continue to rise. This annual figure is predicted to rise 20% year-over-year.  

Comorbid conditions like obesity, musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and depression often co-occur with diabetes, making health management more complex and further raising the stakes for workforce health management.  

Of those with diabetes:  

• 58% also have obesity 
• 47% are likely to have MSK pain 
• 30% also have depression 

Depression is around two times more likely to occur among people with diabetes than those without. This adds to the already complex nature of diabetes management, as depression can impact motivation and adherence to necessary lifestyle changes. 

The toll of diabetes also goes beyond direct healthcare expenses. When employees face multiple chronic conditions, absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover risk increase. Employees managing diabetes miss an average of 8.5 workdays each year due to health complications. That’s nearly three times as many days as employees without diabetes.  

Why Diabetes and Comorbid Conditions Amplify Employee Health Challenges 

Individuals with multiple chronic conditions make up 71% of healthcare spending. The annual healthcare cost for employees with multiple conditions can be up to 13 times higher than for those with one chronic condition. 

Managing multiple conditions—like both diabetes and MSK pain—makes health management more difficult, and it can lead to a decline in quality of life, productivity and a greater reliance on healthcare treatments.  

Addressing diabetes management as part of a holistic benefits strategy can help HR teams mitigate these impacts.   

Employees with both diabetes and depression, for example, miss an estimated 78.5 workdays each year, highlighting the need for more effective diabetes management programs that also address comorbid conditions.  

HR can help employees connect the dots for their multiple health needs, simplifying the work of piecing together multiple options, and instead making it simple to manage care for multiple conditions in one place. 

The Importance of Lifestyle and Behavioral Interventions in Diabetes Management 

Managing diabetes requires more than medical interventions. Sustainable lifestyle and behavioral modifications are critical to successful, long-term health outcomes. A diabetes management program should focus on empowering members to drive sustainable lifestyle changes with interventions that address goal-setting, habit-tracking, self-efficacy and the reinforcement of healthy behaviors.  

HR teams can drive better health outcomes and support adherence to diabetes management routines. A comprehensive program should provide: 

• Support for goal-setting and self-efficacy in diabetes management. 
• Tools for monitoring and adapting to employees’ evolving health needs. 
• Education on the role of lifestyle changes alongside medication. 

The Role of Employers in Diabetes Awareness and Workforce Wellness 

When employers take an active role in supporting diabetes management, they promote a healthier, more engaged workforce and promote a positive workplace culture. Employees who get resources and support to manage their diabetes are more likely to experience improved health outcomes and reduced absenteeism. Additionally, by addressing the broader impact of diabetes and its comorbid conditions, employers improve the well-being of their teams and help reduce healthcare costs. 

This National Diabetes Month, consider how your organization can not only reduce healthcare costs but also improve employee well-being by providing the right diabetes support—a proactive evidence-informed approach that positively impacts your bottom line and empowers employees to live healthier lives. 

About Goodpath 

Goodpath is a bswift Alliance Partner. They focus on workplace wellness. Goodpath’s goal is to address health issues before they become chronic and expensive conditions. Goodpath offers customized solutions that treat the whole person, including physical therapy, nutrition, behavioral health and sleep.