STUDY FOR BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF
ARIZONA REVEALS POOR OVERALL HEALTH AMONG ARIZONANS
~ Obesity, Stress,
Depression and Pain Are Contributing Factors Impacting
Health and Workplace Productivity ~
April 2008
Phoenix, AZ - While the vast
majority of Arizonans say their health could be improved,
most don't take steps to control preventable health
conditions, according to Arizona HealthPulse, a new
research report released by Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Arizona (BCBSAZ), an independent licensee of the Blue
Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Arizona HealthPulse reveals
the results of a comprehensive health risk assessment
and answers to general questions about health and its
impact on job performance and how Arizonans' health
may require some improvements. More than 3,000 Arizonans
across all 15 counties statewide completed a Health
Risk Assessment between May and June 2007 for this study.
Key findings of the Arizona
HealthPulse, amoung others, include:
-
Arizonans' overall health is on the decline. Eighty-seven
percent of respondents reported that their health
could be improved. This figure is an increase of
8 percentage points above data collected in 2006.
Only 13 percent of Arizonans who completed the assessment
reported that they are in "excellent" health.
-
Two in three Arizonans are either overweight or
obese.
-
Arizonans do not get enough sleep and are not taking
advantage of vacation benefits to de-stress, relax
and recharge.
-
A large percentage of Arizonans are foregoing important
preventive care.
-
Poor nutrition and lack of exercise are major factors
contributing to the overall poor state of health
of Arizonans.
-
Employed respondents who work for an employer that
offers a wellness program and who participate in
the program are more likely than others to report
they are in excellent or good health.
To download a
copy of the entire Arizona HealthPulse report, including
county-by-county information, visit www.AZHealthPulse.com.
###
|
|
