‘It's important that employers consider the broad spectrum of health care needs to close these gaps’
As many as 40 per cent of working Canadians experienced a decline in their physical health throughout the pandemic because of their inability to socialize with family, friends or co-workers (72 per cent) and work-related stress (58 per cent).
But things are much worse for workers with disabilities and chronic health challenges, according to a report from RBC Insurance.
Among these workers, 63 per cent say their inability to visit a doctor or health care clinic has harmed their health during the pandemic, compared with 47 per cent of those without chronic health issues who say the same.
The results shed new light on the barriers experienced by those living with a chronic health condition or disability," says Julie Gaudry, head of group benefits at RBC Insurance.
“As businesses work with insurers to make their group benefit decisions, it's important that employers consider the broad spectrum of health care needs to close these gaps and ensure support for all employees."
While 58 per cent of Canadian workers with a disability or chronic health issues say their condition would deteriorate even further without their workplace benefits plan, 40 per cent also experienced challenges accessing their employer’s group benefits because of their unique needs.
Two-thirds (66 per cent) of Canadians living with a chronic illness or major illness have faced challenges accessing treatment and care, according to a report released in March.
And 35 per cent of Canadians have been diagnosed with chronic disorders, and many of them are reluctant to seek help amid the COVD-19 pandemic, according to another report released in April.
Virtual health care
Virtual health care may be the solution to all these, according to the RBC report.
Among those who have group benefits (48 per cent) or private coverage (51 per cent), Canadian employees with a disability or chronic health condition are more likely to have access to virtual care tools than those who do not, finds the survey of 1,001 adult Canadian workers conducted in April.
Also, those living with a chronic health condition are more likely to agree that using virtual tools to connect with mental health supports are useful (64 per cent), compared with those who do not have a health issue (50 per cent).
"We've already seen an increase among Canadian employees that are interested in using virtual tools to address mental health challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic," says Gaudry. "When workers with chronic health conditions or disabilities are willing to access virtual care, they can avoid many of the obstacles to getting care."
Healthy eating is also important to stay physically and mentally healthy amid the pandemic, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
