Without a doubt—yes! Increasingly, employers are offering free onsite health screenings to their employees. Getting one of these quick, convenient and confidential health assessments provides a wealth of information that you can use to better manage your health.
The specifics vary between health screening events, but here are a few of the basic things you can expect when you attend:
- Health screeners—often registered nurses—will measure your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar (glucose), body composition or body mass index (BMI), and more. These tests are performed using things like a finger stick, blood pressure cuff, and measurement tools like calipers.
- Screening provides immediate results, so you don’t have to wait to hear back from a lab.
- Onsite health educators can provide you with personalized and valuable information. They may review your screening results with you and suggest areas for improvement as well as some healthy changes you could make.
Here are some additional benefits of participating in a health screening event at your workplace:
It can save your life!
Screenings are a great tool for prevention and early detection. Getting screened can identify health problems before they start, or detect chronic conditions and diseases early when they are easier and less expensive to treat.
Knowledge is power
Know your numbers! Going to a health screening can help put you in the driver’s seat when it comes to your healthcare. Your screening results can help you understand how and where to focus your efforts to maintain and/or improve your health.
Take the mystery out of test results
It can be easy to get confused by the medical terms and numbers you see in your test results. At the health screening, health educators are available to help you understand what is being measured, what your results mean, how it relates to your health, and what you can do to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Live healthier
Health educators can also provide additional resources and services to help you get—and stay—healthy. Learn how you can modify your daily habits to make a positive impact on your health and well-being. Health educators can connect you with one-on-one support, programs, and other resources to help you take the next step toward better health.
If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more tips and advice on knowing your numbers, making healthy lifestyle changes, and more.
Have a question for a Health Advocate? Email nhess@healthadvocate.com, and your question may be the topic of an upcoming “Ask a Health Advocate” column!
