Accra, May 30, GNA – The Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) has revealed that the impact of working life has a reflection on health status, especially in retirement.
Mr Francis Ameyibor, CDA Consult Executive Director, has therefore called on employers to develop a strategic and periodic health assessment schedule for workers to ensure that staff are healthy, reduce work-related risks and create a healthy environment.
He said most workers incubated ill-health from the place of work: “Poor working environment, use of obsolete equipment, bad chairs which lead to poor sitting, and pressure of work are nursing grounds for ill-health in retirement.”
The CDA Consult weekly health information dissemination platform is an initiative aimed at promoting health-related communication and providing a platform for health information dissemination to influence personal health choices through improved health literacy.
Mr Ameyibor revealed that most workers were totally ignorant of the risk associated with their work: “Whatever type of work you are engaged in today, there are associated health risks tomorrow.”
He said a recent study had highlighted the significant impact of work life on health status during retirement, stressing that the findings emphasised the importance of prioritising health and well-being while actively working.
He said research had shown that an individual’s work life could have a lasting impact on health status in retirement, adding that factors such as stress, long working hours, and poor work-life balance can contribute to a range of health problems.
He called on both employers and employees to reduce the incidence of workplace-related health risks and cautioned workers especially that “whatever you do today may have an effect on your health when you advance in years, at that crucial moment when your sources of income too have diminished drastically; protect your health today for a healthy life tomorrow.”
Mrs Beatrice Kayi Gbesemete, CDA Consult, Health and Wellness Expert also reiterated the need for workers to make the issues of health their topmost priority, stressing prioritise your health and adopt more conscious lifestyles.
She said the importance of health and wellness could not be overstated, and making informed choices can significantly impact one’s quality of life, stressing that Ghana was experiencing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which are largely attributed to lifestyle factors.
Mrs Gbesemete who is also a Sapphire Director in LivePure – People United Reaching Everyone which is a USA based health and wellness company emphasised that a shift towards healthier habits was crucial to mitigating these health challenges.
Mrs Gbesemete encouraged workers to make positive changes through the adoption of a balanced diet, which involved eating rich whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, which, according to her, could help prevent chronic diseases.
She also encouraged workers to engage in regular exercise, such as walking, jogging, or other forms of physical activity, which she noted could improve overall health and well-being.
Mrs Gbesemete also encouraged workers to engage in stress-reducing activities, adding that through the adoption of healthier lifestyles, workers can experience numerous benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved energy levels, and enhanced overall physical well-being, especially during retirement.
Ms Jennifer Nelson, a Preventive and Occupational Health Management Expert associated with CDA Consult, said chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases were sometimes caused by risky behaviour at work.
She said mental health issues were most often are ignited by anxiety, depression, and burnout, while physical health problems such as musculoskeletal disorders, obesity, and sleep disorders.
To mitigate the negative effects of work life on health, Ms Nelson stressed that it was essential for workers to strike a balance between work and healthy living.
The CDA Consult Preventive and Occupational Health Management Expert, added “this can be achieved by prioritizing self-care through engaging in regular exercise, healthy eating, and stress management techniques.
Ms Nelson who is the Executive Director of Lifeline Haven Company Limited also urged workers to set boundaries, explaining that establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is paramount, reduce incidents of carrying work load home.
“Develop the habit of taking regular breaks and time off to rest and recharge, take a vacation, visit interest placing just to watch nature and take in fresh air, watch moves or engage in healthy chat with friends face-to-face,” she said.
Ms Nelson noted that to maintain a healthy work-life balance, workers must make time for activities that promote physical, emotional, and psychological well-being, stressing “be mindful of workload and avoid taking on too much.”
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba