September is just around the corner, and with it comes the ‘Know Your Numbers Week’ scheduled to take place from the 2nd to the 8th. This is a week that carries immense importance, yet many are unaware of its significance. Today, we aim to shed light on this crucial matter and articulate why it’s pivotal for everyone to take note.
‘Know Your Numbers Week’ is a UK-based health initiative promoting awareness about key health numbers.
The initiative revolves around understanding the five key numbers of health: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference.
These numbers are crucial as they offer insight into your current health status and can be powerful indicators of potential health risks.
So, why should you know your numbers? Let’s delve into it.
- Prevention is Better Than Cure: By knowing your health numbers, you can effectively manage any potential health risks. Regular check-ups can prevent the onset of diseases, like diabetes and hypertension, that could otherwise go undetected.
- Personalised Care: Knowing your numbers helps healthcare professionals provide tailored care. Everyone’s body is unique, and understanding your numbers gives you an upper hand in advocating for your health.
- Empowerment: Knowledge is power. By knowing your numbers, you empower yourself to take control of your health. You can make informed decisions about diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes that can significantly improve your wellbeing.
The scope of individuals potentially impacted is far wider than might be imagined, with many health risk factors developing in our twenties and thirties. The prevalence of some risk factors can vary by gender or ethnicity, as well as family history, meaning some people have an elevated risk of developing certain conditions. It is estimated that millions of people worldwide could benefit from knowing their numbers.
The truth of the matter is that many people are living with health conditions without even realising it. A significant portion of the population unknowingly has high blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels. Similarly, many are unaware they’re overweight or obese.
They therefore struggle with the symptoms and consequences, such as fatigue, breathlessness, and frequent illnesses, without knowing the root cause.
Knowing your numbers will help in early detection and prevention of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
What Are the Risks?
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but it can lead to serious conditions such as heart disease and stroke. By knowing your numbers, you can take steps to control it and reduce your risk.
- Cholesterol: High cholesterol levels can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Regular monitoring can help maintain healthy levels.
- Blood sugar: Knowing your blood sugar levels is crucial for both diabetics and non-diabetics. Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and even blindness.
- BMI and waist circumference: Both these numbers give an idea about your body fat and its distribution. High BMI and waist circumference increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
How Can Employers Help Their Employees?
We think so. Employers can play a pivotal role in supporting their employees to “know their numbers”. By knowing their numbers, employees are empowered to take control of their health and reduce their health risks.
A healthy workforce tends to be more productive and less likely to suffer illness or injury, which should reduce the incidence and cost of claims on healthcare benefits. Reduced claims on healthcare benefits will lead to lower, more sustainable premium costs for employers, creating a genuine ‘win-win’ for all stakeholders.
Here are some strategies employers can adopt:
On-Site Health Checks
Employers can arrange regular on-site health checks for their employees, which include tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, BMI, and waist circumference. This not only makes the process convenient for employees but also emphasizes the company’s commitment to their health and well-being.
Health and Wellness Programs
Employers can initiate wellness programs that educate employees about the importance of knowing their key health numbers and how they can maintain them. These programs could include workshops, webinars, or interactive sessions with healthcare professionals.
Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle
Employers can encourage a healthy lifestyle by offering gym memberships or setting up a fitness center at the workplace. Providing healthy food options in the cafeteria or vending machines can also contribute to better overall health.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
EAPs that offer mental health support can indirectly contribute to better physical health. Stress, anxiety, and depression can all lead to detrimental physical health conditions if left unaddressed.
Healthcare Benefits
An employer can provide comprehensive healthcare benefits that include access to full health screenings, or which contribute towards the cost of them, encouraging employees to regularly monitor their health and seek medical help when necessary.
Get More Advice on Health Management
At Broadstone, we are passionate advocates for proactive health management. We believe that understanding your health is the first step towards overall wellbeing.
Know your numbers and take control of your health.
Here’s a link to Blood Pressure UK to find out more.
Here is a link to NHS Inform and more information on high cholesterol.
Here is a link to Diabetes UK – checking your blood sugar levels
Here is a link to the British Heart Foundation – why your waste size matters
Let’s embrace ‘know Your Numbers Week’ together and make a conscious effort to prioritise our health, not just for a week, but every day of our lives.
