Nearly 40% of employees skip or delay preventive care like annual checkups and cancer screenings, according to a recent survey. In HR, this can be frustrating because most preventive care is fully covered. Plus, hence the name, it can prevent chronic conditions and deadly diseases. That translates to fewer costly claims and eventually lower premium increases. So how can HR convince employees to take time for routine care?
In that same 2025 survey by Imagine 360, 42% of those who delayed care reported that their health had worsened. The number one reason for skipping those doctor visits? Cost.
It’s Part Culture, Bigger Part Communications
If employees hear managers and coworkers mentioning their annual checkup appointments, it sets the tone for a culture that cares about employee health. On the flipside, if they notice people skipping lunch, working late, and feeling stressed… that’s a different culture — one that can discourage taking time off for health care.
How often do you communicate with employees about how to make the most of their benefits? If Open Enrollment is a “one and done” comms outreach, you’re missing opportunities to connect people with the health care they need.
Communications Sound Daunting and Time Consuming?
These downloadable resources can get you started:
Get Leadership on Board
If you can show senior leaders the business reasons behind preventive care, they may agree to help promote it.
- 90% of the nation’s $4.9 trillion in annual health care expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions, many preventable.
- Productivity losses due to chronic illnesses and injuries cost employers $2,945 per employee per year.
- Cancer-related costs are expected to increase 30% for employers by 2027. About 40% of cancer diagnoses can be prevented with early detection.
A personal communication from the CEO or CHRO holds clout with employees. If the execs support routine care and get their preventive screenings, it becomes part of the culture. Of course, if you can’t make that happen, those execs can support you with a bigger comms budget!
Communicate the Why to Employees
Forty-two percent of Americans have two or more chronic conditions. And the US mortality rate for avoidable deaths is on the rise in all states, yet it’s declining in almost all of our peer countries (65 of them).
Numbers are persuasive, and you can readily find statistics from the CDC, American Cancer Society, and many other research organizations. There are three main messages that resonate with employees, and numbers to go along with them:
- Preventive care costs $0 if you have medical coverage, whether you’ve met your deductible or not. (This last part about the deductible is key.)
- Early detection saves money, lowering treatment costs by up to 75%.
- And it saves lives. For all cancers combined, prompt diagnosis enhances survival rates by six to eight times.
Comms Channels to Reach All Employees
Whether you have a desk-based employee population, workers in factories and warehouses, or a combination, this infographic shows the many channels that can help get your message out.
Share Relevant Stories
If employees are willing, use storytelling to get people on board. You don’t necessarily need to attribute a quote using an employee’s name… just let readers know it’s an employee from your company. If that doesn’t come together, use authentic stories you find on reputable websites.
The Power of Storytelling – Examples
“In a routine mammogram, my doctor found a lump. It was cancer, and it was terrifying. Because we caught it early, I didn’t have to go through extensive radiation or chemotherapy. And I’ve been cancer-free for three years.” – ABC Company employee
“In a routine checkup, Ernie’s doctor noticed his fingers were a little pale, and Ernie mentioned getting out of breath easily. Because he saw a doctor that day, the blood clot in Ernie’s lung didn’t get the chance to move to his heart.” – spouse of XYZ Company employee
Point Them to Useful Resources
Many employees don’t know what’s considered preventive. And recommended/covered screenings vary by age and gender. Make sure employees understand what’s covered and what’s not. Most insurance carriers have a web page dedicated to preventive care.
Most employees understand it’s a good idea to have an annual checkup with a doctor. But it’s more than a good idea… it’s essential. And it’s so much more than just an annual checkup.
Effective, persuasive, authentic communications can educate employees and show them that the company values their health and wellbeing.
