Sponsored by Northern Illinois Health Plan |
October 2008 Issue |
|
E to E provides information from a business perspective that will educate regional employers about significant healthcare issues to help them make decisions benefiting their organizations and employees. | ||
|
|||
|
|||
ContentsEye opening information on vision and dental care Did you know?
|
EYE OPENING INFORMATION ON VISION AND DENTAL CAREOral and vision health have long been considered contributors to overall wellness, but their powerful connection to vigor and productivity are sometimes underestimated. That may be about to change. For example, recent studies show jaw-dropping relationships between periodontal disease and chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. They also indicate a relationship between oral health and poor pregnancy outcomes associated with premature births. Consider this: in a study conducted by the Journal of the American Dental Association, 24 out of 28 women who delivered at less than 32 weeks gestation had periodontal disease. Further analysis suggests that simple dental treatment can help reduce pre-term and low birth weight babies, helping improve outcomes and decrease costs. Seeing the light Encouraging and providing insurance coverage for visits to the dentist is only part of the solution. According to the Vision Council of America, vision problems are the second most prevalent health problem in the country, affecting more than 120 million people — many of them in your workforce, no doubt. The study also shows that vision problems cost U.S. businesses an estimated $8 billion each year in lost productivity, exacerbated by the increased use of computers on the job. Proper preventive treatment can salvage some of this downtime, reduce long-term benefits expense, and improve life quality. In fact, eye care professionals estimate that proper detection and treatment can help diagnose non-ocular illnesses like hypertension, minimize serious eye maladies like glaucoma, and even prevent blindness approximately 50% of the time. In the benefits realm, oral and vision insurance are sometimes seen as add-ons, even "extras." Though these concerns often take second seat to other medical conditions and proactive wellness initiatives, preventive care in these areas can be a lifesaver—and a cost saver, too. DID YOU KNOW?
|
|
Were you aware of the connection between oral/vision health and overall health and productivity? Then, visit the NIHP website to view this issue's quick poll results. |
For more information contact us at:
(800) 723-0202 or
NIHPCustomerService@fhn.org
1006 W. Stephenson St., Freeport, IL 61032
Add your address to this mailing list
Remove your
address from this mailing list
Make a suggestion
for future content or provide feedback on this issue
