Czech Employers Call for Stronger Role in Employee Health and Healthcare Sustainability

Czech employers are increasingly stepping forward as active partners in promoting the health and well-being of the working population. Their growing engagement reflects not only their role as key contributors to the public health insurance system, but also their recognition that employee health is directly linked to productivity, competitiveness, and economic resilience.

Health-related challenges among the working-age population are becoming more pressing. Nearly 900,000 individuals aged 20–64 in the Czech Republic live with hypertension, while over two-thirds of men and half of women are overweight or obese. These risk factors significantly contribute to chronic illnesses, particularly cardiovascular and oncological diseases, which are leading causes of premature death. For employers, the impacts of rising illness levels are tangible: increased absenteeism, reduced performance, and growing costs for businesses and society.

Thanks to advances in national health data systems, it is now possible to quantify not only the medical burden but also the social and economic effects of chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart failure. These insights underscore the urgency of shifting towards a preventive approach and enhancing health promotion strategies at the workplace.

Employers are calling for closer cooperation with public institutions and health insurance funds to support preventive care, early interventions, and programs targeting both physical and mental health. Topics such as workplace ergonomics, stress management, burnout prevention, and the development of healthier work cultures are increasingly part of corporate agendas.

The private sector’s willingness to invest in employee health—beyond legal obligations—signals a broader shift in understanding: sustainable healthcare is not the sole responsibility of the state. Businesses are ready to co-create solutions, provided there is a stable policy framework and institutional support.

This evolving approach offers valuable lessons for other EU countries facing similar demographic and economic pressures. A healthier workforce is not just a social goal—it is a strategic economic asset. Strengthening the role of employers in health promotion can be a win-win for citizens, businesses, and public budgets alike.

Source: Confederation of Employers’ and Entrepreneurs’ Unions of the Czech Republic