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Credit: Shutterstock / 1726919596

Two-thirds of employees revealed that they want to be more proactive about their health, according to new research by Elevate.

A study of 1,200 UK workers, commissioned by the healthcare firm, found that 67% of respondents wanted to take proactive steps to help prevent illness, rather than merely reacting to symptoms.

Nearly three-quarters (71%) said they are interested in taking a proactive health risk test if given the chance to assess their likelihood of developing conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, while 62% would like to be able to access more data and medical insight about their body and health.

If offered a body scan and health tests, 53% would want to see if they have a chronic health condition that they are not aware of, or have not noticed symptoms of yet, and (38%) would want to see if they are at increased risk of developing a condition that a family member has.

The research also found that 31% suspect they are at increased risk of a health condition but have not had it checked, and 58% want to make medical changes, such as medical checks, to keep themselves healthier for longer.

More than half (56%) revealed that they are more likely to accept a job with an employer that actively supports their long-term health.

Dr Nitin Shori, chief medical officer and co-founder of Elevate, said: “There’s a huge shift towards preventative healthcare happening, and employee health checks are entering a new, advanced era in the employee benefits market. More than 140 million working days are lost per year in the UK due to health-related absence. Busy schedules, poor sleep, and high stress can all take their toll.

“By understanding current health and future risks, employees can take better control of their own health trajectory, with a combination of lifestyle changes, clinical expertise and tech. It’s now possible to access unprecedented levels of data about your body, but understanding this new level of insight and responding to it, is crucial.”