The environment and its impact on organizational health

Breathing clean air, seeing clearly, hearing without noise, maintaining body temperature, moving freely, hydrating properly, relaxing, expressing oneself, socializing… all of this and, in addition, being able to access vital, pollution-free food. Enjoying a good state of health, emotional wellbeing and balance does not only depend on genetics and diet, but there are also many factors in our physical and social environment that condition us.

Especially when we spend more than 90% of our lives indoors.
Places normally built and designed to keep us safe and protect us from cold, heat, wind, etc. However, many of the places where we spend our time also get in the way of our health.

Be it the particles in the air we breathe, or in the water we drink, glare from artificial light, noise, toxins in some building materials, stress, depression, mobility limitations or lack of adaptation to any social condition. All of these are priority areas of public health attention, due to the increase in chronic diseases attributed to sedentary lifestyles, polluted environments and behaviors that are toxic to health.

Both workplaces and places of study or leisure are considered effective platforms for implementing health programmes for a large part of the population. Data from numerous international studies* warn of the need to take immediate measures in organizations to correct habits and encourage the use of the environment to benefit the quality of human life.

• Almost a quarter of the world’s population does not meet physical activity guidelines and is considered physically inactive.
• Sedentary behavior has been linked to obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular risks and premature mortality.
• People who distrust the safety of their water may be more likely to have a lower intake of water and a higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages.
• Lack of access to fresh and natural foods is associated with excessive consumption of salt and refined flours.
• Disruption or desynchronization of the body’s circadian rhythm (natural versus artificial light) has been linked to obesity, diabetes, depression, and metabolic disorders.
• Thermal impact greatly influences our experiences in the places where we live and work and is one of the most important factors affecting levels of motivation, alertness, concentration, and mood.
• Many people around the world still struggle with low health literacy and limited access to basic health services, which vary by race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, age, gender, disability status and residential location.
• Global chemical production grew by 54% between 2000 and 2010.
• Approximately two-thirds of people experiencing common mental health conditions are employed.
• It is estimated that 18% of adults will experience a common mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse, during a 12-month period, and more than 30% of adults will experience a mental health condition during their lifetime.
• The impact of mental health in the workplace is profound, with depression and anxiety alone costing the global economy an estimated $1 trillion due to lost productivity.

*Sources belonging to the IWBI. Various international social and medical studies.

Therefore, the design strategies of any space, as well as all the resources and contents a human being is provided with to live, have a direct correlation with his or her overall health. Increasing contact with nature, as well as natural lighting, incorporating filters in ventilation systems, quality water, mindfulness workshops or physical exercise, are some examples of measures that generate economic benefits in workplace wellness programmes, including reduced health care costs, reduced costs and days lost to disability, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity.

The International Well Building Institute (IWBI), through the Well Certification, promotes healthy and sustainable spaces, through a corporate assessment system that includes all the concepts mentioned above, thus helping to improve the quality of life of organizations.

From now on, Benefit Brokers can offer one more value to the corporate wellness programmes of our clients, who decide to take advice on the matter and open a project that helps them to comply with the requirements of the Certification.

Press realease IWBI

María Kindelán
Benefit Brokers
Physical and Emotional Wellbeing
Well Accredited Professional