Study shows: Healthy companies are economically more successful - and this is measurable.

Why the return on investment in OHM is not just a gut feeling - but a verifiable strategy for sustainable companies

Health has long since ceased to be a "Nice-to-have" more. It has become a tangible economic factor. And yet many people responsible for occupational health management (OHM) face the same challenge time and again: how can the benefits of health measures be proven? How can you convince management that OHM is not a cost, but an investment with a return? A study from the USA, although not new, is still highly relevant and shows impressively that a strong health culture pays off economically. We take this as an opportunity to share our thoughts - and to show ways in which companies can achieve measurable success in OHM.

An investment that pays off: the results of the study

The study was published in the renowned Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The core of the study: over a period of ten years, the researchers analysed an investment fund that invested exclusively in companies with a strong culture of health, safety and wellbeing. The only inclusion criterion for companies was that they had included the health and well-being of their employees as a strategic goal in their annual report.

The result is remarkable: the so-called Health Advantage Appreciation Fund (HAAF) achieved an annual return that two percentage points above that of the overall market (S&P 500) was. Cumulatively, these were 264% compared to 243% of the benchmark index - and that without immediate reinvestment of dividendswhich makes the outperformance even more impressive.

Why a culture of health has an economic impact

But what is behind this success? The authors of the study attribute it to a number of positive effects that go hand in hand with a strong health culture. Companies that systematically invest in the well-being of their employees benefit from lower healthcare costs, Less absenteeism and one higher productivity.

Employees who feel valued and supported are more committed, remain loyal to the company for longer and contribute to a positive corporate culture. These effects not only have an impact on the working atmosphere, but are also directly reflected in key economic figures.

The return on investment in BGM in figures

Other studies also confirm this connection. A study by Baicker et al. (2010) shows: For every dollar invested in workplace health promotion, the cost of sickness-related absence fell by an average of 2.73 dollars. This includes productivity losses due to absenteeism, expenses for substitutes or overtime as well as additional organisational expenses and potential delivery failures. For medical costs - primarily relevant for health insurance companies in Germany - the return even averaged 3.27 dollars per dollar invested, particularly due to lower expenditure on visits to the doctor, hospitalisation and medication. The Integrated Benefits Institute puts the annual loss of productivity due to illness at around 530 billion dollars in the USA. The economic damage is also considerable in Germany: according to Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health the production downtime costs due to sickness-related absences in 2023 amounted to over 128 billion euros - and the trend is rising. Added to this are so-called Presenteeism costswhich, according to estimates by the DAK (German health insurance organisation), is around the 2.5 times the absenteeism costs amount.

The economic dimension of health is therefore immense - and yet it is still underestimated in many corporate strategies.

This is not least due to the fact that OHM measures often appear difficult to grasp. The effect of an ergonomic workplace or mental health coaching cannot be read off the turnover curve in real time. This makes reliable data and long-term analyses, such as those provided by the study by Fabius and Phares, all the more important. It makes it clear: Those who think strategically and systematically promote health create a real competitive advantage.

Ten fields of action for a healthy corporate culture

But what does this mean in concrete terms for companies? The study identifies Ten central fields of actionthat make up a healthy corporate culture. These include, among others:

• active support from the management,
• transparent health communication,
• the integration of health targets into the corporate strategy,
• as well as specific measures to promote healthy behaviour and create a healthy working environment.

These aspects should not be understood as isolated projects, but as part of a holistic corporate culture.

How companies can achieve measurable success in BGM

A healthy company is not created by chance. If you want to prove the return on investment in OHM, you need a systematic approach. This includes one thing above all: Measurability.

Companies that set a good example define clear KPIs for your BGM measures. These can include the participation rate, changes in behaviour and the long-term effect on health indicators. The decisive factor is that the measures are evaluated regularly. If there is no effect, they should be adjusted or cancelled.

It is also worth taking a close look when selecting external service providers. Providers who can scientifically prove their effectiveness - such as Deep Care with its AI-based health assistant Isa - offer real added value. Part of our concept is also a continuous, automated evaluation of the effectiveness in the customer company. This makes it possible to track at any time whether and how, for example, health behaviour, the participation rate or satisfaction with the offer has changed.

A best practice from our customers: The DB InfraGO systematically evaluates each measure with regard to Acceptance and effectiveness. In our view, this focus on evidence and impact is the key to a sustainable OHM strategy.

ROI gains importance in difficult economic times

Especially in economically difficult phases - as many companies are currently experiencing - the OHM budget is viewed particularly critically or even cut. This makes it all the more important to clearly demonstrate the economic benefits of OHM. But what can you do if the specific ROI is not (yet) measurable? Then so-called approximate indicators can help - i.e. tangible parameters such as whether the health behaviour of employees has improved, whether the change was sustainable, how satisfied employees are with the offer or how many have been reached. These indicators can be correlated with company-relevant costs such as staff turnover or sickness absence - and still make a convincing case.

[You can read more about dealing with budget cuts here: BGM budget in times of crisis]

The BGM pulse checka survey of health management professionals (including occupational health and safety and HR) initiated by Deep Care shows: For many managers, the Lack of measurability of measures and successes a central problem. As is the frequent lack of prioritisation by management. This is precisely where a strategic, KPI-based OHM comes in - with clear objectives, evaluation and traceable impact.

What deep care contributes to the effectiveness of BGM

At Deep Care, we have been working intensively on the question of how the physical health of office workers can be specifically improved in everyday working life. Because the increasing Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest health problems of our time - and so far largely unresolved. According to AOK Health Report around 19% of all days of incapacity for work are currently attributable to musculoskeletal disorders. This is particularly alarming: Two out of three people in Germany suffer chronically from back pain - and around 73% see the cause as a lack of exercise, particularly due to excessive "Little sport / muscles that are too weak" (37%) or "Sitting at the desk at work" (36%).

Many BGM programmes seem promising at first glance, but often have little effect in everyday life. Our AI-supported health assistant Isa - therefore starts right where the problem arises: directly at the desk. It addresses posture, exercise and drinking behaviour at work - demonstrably and sustainably, as scientific studies show. Days of sick leave that employees attribute to their sedentary work are reduced by an average of 56% through Isa and 84% of all users report increased well-being.

One thing is clear: Isa is not the The answer to all challenges in occupational health management. But when it comes to promoting health while working from a seated position, we currently see it as the most effective and best-evaluated measure.

Health is a question of strategy

The message to decision-makers is clear: occupational health management is no longer an optional extra. It is a A prerequisite for sustainable economic success. Investing in a healthy corporate culture today not only reduces costs, but also increases motivation, productivity and innovative strength.

The return on investment in OHM is real - and it can be proven.

If you, as the person responsible for OHM, are currently facing the challenge of arguing your next budget: Use this data. Show that health pays off. And if necessary, let us develop the right arguments together. In a short Pilot project we work together to determine what contribution Isa can make to your company.

Now is the perfect time to implement Isa in your organisation! Let us advise you and find out how Isa can take your health strategy to the next level.

Arrange a non-binding initial consultation now with us or write us a message: