Rising chronic disease ‘will hit business productivity by 2030′
Higher rates of chronic disease and an ageing workforce will pose a serious threat to the productivity of UK businesses by 2030, according to new research.
The report published by Bupa found that over the next 20 years, the number of workers with heart disease will rise by 11 per cent to over one million.
It also found that the rate of respiratory diseases such as asthma will increase by seven per cent to over four million, while the rate of mental illness in the workforce will increase by five per cent to affect 4.2 million people.
Bupa warns that if these issues are not addressed, worsening health will hit the long-term productivity of British companies.
Helen Vaughan-Jones, acting senior manager for policy research at Bupa, said the predicted rise in chronic conditions is partly linked to lifestyle and urged people to make changes.
She added that "if individuals make changes to the way in which they consume alcohol, if they quit smoking and have more healthy eating habits, that can have a seriously positive impact on their health over the longer term."
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