What’s the biggest challenge to health and wellbeing programme success in LATAM?
Employers in the LATAM region said employee physical and mental health are among the greatest challenges for their health and wellbeing (H&W) programmes. Find out what else we learned when Optum surveyed 347 global employers.
What aspects of your employees’ wellbeing do you feel your company’s H&W strategy addresses?
Physical health was the most prominent aspect addressed across all three regions. Behavioural/mental health decreased in prominence in the LATAM region between 2021 and 2022, but it’s still one of the biggest challenges LATAM companies are facing.
Physical health was the most prominent aspect addressed across all 3 regions according to 72% of employers in the APAC region, 71% in LATAM and 63% in EMEA. Social health was also a key area said 72% in the APAC region, 68% in LATAM and 60% in EMEA. For financial health, 69% of APAC employers and 55% in both EMEA and LATAM said it was an area of focus. Behavioural/mental health was a key area with 70% in APAC, 56% in EMEA and 55% in LATAM identifying it as an area of focus. There was a 10% decrease in LATAM, with 65% saying it was an area of focus in 2021 and 55% in 2022.
How likely is it that your company’s H&W strategy will address certain wellbeing aspects in the future that you’re not currently addressing?
Survey results show fewer LATAM companies are addressing mental health in their H&W strategy than before, although employers say they’re more likely to address this aspect of wellbeing than others in the next three years.
In 2022, 89% of LATAM employers said they would address behavioural/mental health with 43% saying they would be very likely and 46% saying extremely likely. For physical health, 82% said they would address it, with 30% saying very likely and 52% saying extremely likely. For financial health, 78% said they would address it, with 47% saying very likely and 31% saying extremely likely. For social health, 77% said they would address it, with 31% saying very likely and 46% saying extremely likely.
In 2020, 43% of LATAM employers offered EAP programmes, 26% in 2021 and 25% in 2022. In terms of participation rates, 34% of LATAM employees participated in EAP programmes in 2020, 45% in 2021 and 26% in 2022.
Currently, the mental health of employees [is our biggest challenge] … since it not only affects the employees personally but also affects us as a business.
— Employer in Mexico
How can you better support employee mental health through your H&W strategy?
Optum can help. We’re on a mission to create a healthier world. At Optum, we understand that corporate success starts with a healthy workforce. Our integrated health solutions, including our global Employee Assistance Programme, help advance your health and wellbeing strategy to build a culture of health within your organisation.
Learn more at optum.com/globalemployers.
2022 International Wellness in the Workplace Study
Optum surveyed large employers around the world to better understand current health and well-being strategies and practices.
Health and wellbeing challenges in the APAC region
Effective H&W programme promotion and motivating employees to participate are among the current challenges.
Do employers care about employee financial wellbeing?
The importance of employee financial health is catching up with other aspects of wellbeing.
Survey/ methodology
- 347 international employers located in APAC, EMEA or LATAM regions
- Global companies with 3,000+ employees
- Decision-makers in human resources, executive, management or administrative roles
- Surveys administered online from 7 April to 5 May 2022