Dirty Harry Was Right About Disability Insurance
Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry character could have been speaking about disability insurance when he said those famous words, "Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya'?". Whether you are an employer looking to reduce the cost of disability insurance claims, or an individual looking for a better quality of life, it pays to work on reducing your exposure to the risk of being disabled.
The thing about the sage advice you are about to receive is that your grandmother or anyone with a gradeschool education probably could have figured this out. Nothing against grandmothers (they tend to be very wise after all), but this stuff isn't rocket science!
Let's take a look at the things employers should consider when developing employee incentives to reduce liability insurance claims, which are the same things individuals can do to become healthier and safer.
#1. Lose Weight. Do it Now.
We may have started with the toughest item first, but getting down to a healthy weight is key to avoiding disabling diseases and accidents. Things like blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, and the risk of falling increase dramatically as our weight gets out of control. Hey, you've been wanting to do this, right? Now you have some additional motivation. Think Nike: just do it (diet and exercise, that is).
#2. Throw Out the Cigarettes. And Cigars. And oh Yeah, the Pipe Too.
Do you like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath? Does anyone really think it's worth polluting your lungs and bloodstream by smoking? According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the risks of smoking include:
- Thicker blood that carries less oxygen
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate (can you say "heart attack"?)
- Lowers good cholesterol, increases bad cholesterol
- Damages blood vessel walls (hey, they only carry the essence of life!)
- Increased inflammation leading to plaque buildup in your arteries (so you can help fund the drug companies with all that extra medicine you'll need!)