Ill‑health and disability that prevent people from working cost Wales an estimated £19.4 billion every year, according to new findings released by Public Health Wales.
The figure reflects the significant economic and social impact of poor health on the workforce, including sickness absence, people who are unable to work due to long‑term illness, the cost of informal care, lost tax revenue, NHS treatment costs and benefits payments.
Public Health Wales says the findings highlight the critical importance of supporting people to remain in, or return to, good, secure, fairly paid employment, which plays a vital role in physical and mental wellbeing.
Research shows that being in stable employment improves health outcomes by providing purpose, financial security, access to healthy food, and a safe home environment. Conversely, long‑term ill‑health drives economic inactivity and increases pressure on health and social care services.
Strengthening financial security and ensuring people can stay in work, or get back into work earlier, is described as key to improving population health and building “a stronger, inclusive Welsh economy”.
To help address these challenges, Healthy Working Wales – a free programme funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by Public Health Wales – supports employers to create healthier, safer workplaces.
The programme helps organisations to:
- Create healthy and safe working environments
- Promote staff wellbeing and healthy behaviours
- Prevent and manage sickness absence and support effective return‑to‑work
- Help employees with chronic conditions remain in employment
Healthy Working Wales aims to prevent avoidable ill‑health, reduce the number of people leaving work due to health issues, and support employers in building resilient, productive workforces.
Ciarán Humpherys, Consultant in Wider Determinants of Health at Public Health Wales, said:
“In Wales, many people spend more of their lives in poor health, because the building blocks we need to keep us healthy, such as decent housing or good, fair work, can be weak or absent. We have seen a rise in people out of work in recent years relating to ill-health, especially mental health among younger people, and musculoskeletal problems in older ages.
People with health conditions are more likely to enter work with early, tailored support, and to stay in work with engaged, flexible, supportive employers. This research shows the economic implications caused by ill-health and disability keeping people out of work, demonstrating the importance of investing in prevention to keep people healthy and support participation in fair work.”
The programme has recently launched a new Employer Survey Tool, designed to help organisations assess their current level of workforce health and wellbeing.
After completing the survey, employers can request support from a Workplace Health Adviser, providing tailored, one‑to‑one guidance at no cost. Advisers offer expert advice on improving policies, practices and workplace culture to strengthen employee wellbeing.
The findings underline the importance of coordinated action between public health services, employers, and government to reduce the burden of work‑related ill‑health and support a healthier, more economically active Wales.
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