In today’s demanding and high-pressure working environments, many organisations offer their employees’ health insurance and yearly medicals as part of their benefits package. These often include standard health assessments, blood tests, lifestyle questionnaires, perhaps even a treadmill test. While well-intentioned, these assessments are often based on population-level statistics and may not provide meaningful insights into individual health risks. This blog, based on expert insights from a recent Wealth of Health podcast episode, Corporate Health Assessments: Myths, Scans & Saving Lives explains why truly preventative, personalised corporate health assessments are essential and how they can literally save lives.
The Basics of a Corporate Health Assessment
Most employees will be familiar with a corporate health assessment: a set of routine tests provided annually, often involving a blood test and, in more “comprehensive” packages, an exercise treadmill test. These assessments are intended to flag early warning signs and help manage long-term health risks. They also usually ask lifestyle-related questions, Do you smoke? How much do you drink? How often do you exercise?
The problem is that many of these assessments are superficial and fail to offer real preventative insight. They measure generic risk rather than looking at whether an individual actually has signs of disease. In other words, they ask: “Are you statistically likely to get ill?” rather than “Do you already have a condition we can treat now?”
The Limits of Traditional Health Assessments
The treadmill test is a perfect example of the problem with traditional corporate medicals. Most people think running on a treadmill while hooked up to an ECG will reveal if they’re at risk of a heart attack. But this test wasn’t designed for detecting early-stage heart disease. It only picks up significant, late-stage narrowing of the arteries by which point the disease may already be well advanced.
Lifestyle data like BMI, alcohol consumption, and smoking status can certainly help identify risk patterns on a population level. But on an individual level, their predictive value is limited. A person with an unhealthy lifestyle may never develop a disease; a fit, health-conscious non-smoker may still suffer a heart attack. In fact, around one-third of people who experience a heart attack have no apparent risk factors at all.
This exposes the weakness of standard assessments that rely on statistical modelling rather than direct evidence. They provide a false sense of security or unnecessary alarm and often fail to inspire real behavioural change. Many employees simply repeat the same assessments year after year, with little impact on their health outcomes.
From Statistical Risk to Individual Truth
This is where advanced, individualised health assessments have the power to change lives. Thanks to modern imaging technologies such as high-resolution CT scans doctors can now look directly at your coronary arteries, your organs, even your brain, with precision down to 0.3mm. This enables the detection of serious diseases like cancer, heart disease, or aneurysms years before symptoms appear.
Once someone sees a scan of their own arteries, whether the news is good or bad, the conversation changes. If the arteries are clear, people want to know how to keep them that way. If there’s early-stage disease, they are immediately motivated to take preventative action. The assessment becomes personal, actionable, and powerful.
That’s a key difference: conventional assessments give you a probability; personalised assessments give you the truth.
A Real-World Example: Prevention in Practice
Years ago, a major UK-based company began offering coronary artery CT scans to its senior executives. They had been losing one or two team members per year to heart attacks. Over the five years that followed the introduction of scanning, not a single executive died from heart disease. The impact was both personal and organisational.
For the individuals, the scans likely saved their lives. For the company, it avoided the tragedy of losing valuable staff, not to mention the financial and cultural disruption caused by the sudden loss of senior leaders. It also fostered a new sense of loyalty and care within the company, strengthening workplace culture.
This example isn’t hypothetical. It happened. And it highlights how preventative health assessments, done well, don’t just improve wellbeing, they drive real business outcomes.
The Case for Tailored, Age-Appropriate Screening
One-size-fits-all assessments are also part of the problem. It makes little sense to give the same health check to a 25-year-old and a 55-year-old. A younger employee is unlikely to suffer from coronary heart disease or many cancers. But for employees aged 40 and up, these risks increase significantly.
Tailoring health assessments to age, gender, and personal health history improves relevance and effectiveness. For instance, coronary artery disease, the UK’s biggest killer, is best assessed via a CT coronary angiogram. For prostate cancer, the best tool is a high-quality 3T MRI scan. Each condition requires a specific, evidence-based approach.
Generic blood tests won’t detect early-stage cancers, significant heart artery narrowing, or tumours. They may spot diabetes or high cholesterol but often, by the time they do, the damage is already done. Imaging scans, by contrast, can detect diseases at the subclinical stage, when prevention is still possible.
What’s Stopping Companies?
Despite the clear benefits, many companies still rely on outdated health checks. Why?
First, there’s a knowledge gap. HR teams and benefits managers often lack the clinical background to assess which assessments are truly effective. They’re reliant on providers to pitch packages with terms like “comprehensive” or “advanced,” without a clear understanding of what’s actually included.
Second, there’s the issue of cost. Advanced scans like MRIs and CTs are more expensive upfront, but that cost needs to be weighed against the savings from avoided illnesses, lost productivity, and employee turnover.
And third, there’s the fear of criticism. Many employers opt for the most popular or well-known providers because it feels like a safe choice, even if that means sticking with assessments that are less effective.
Asking the Right Questions
If you’re an employer or HR leader considering health assessments, here are some crucial questions to ask any provider:
- Are assessments the same for all employees, regardless of age or gender?
- What imaging modalities are used, if any?
- What is the efficacy of your assessment in detecting actual disease, not just risk factors?
- Which diseases can your assessment definitively rule in or out?
- How often should assessments be conducted for different employee groups?
If the answers don’t include tailored assessments, CT or MRI imaging, and a focus on detecting early disease rather than simply identifying risk, it’s worth rethinking your strategy.
Dispelling the Fear Around Scanning
One common objection to CT scans is concern over radiation exposure. Historically, these fears were based on outdated data and early-generation machines. But technology has come a long way.
Today’s scanners deliver around 10% of the radiation dose compared to just a decade ago. A heart scan for a slim person, for example, now carries the same radiation exposure as spending two weeks on holiday in Cornwall (where the background radiation from granite is high). The NHS itself increasingly relies on CT scanning in emergency departments, reflecting its growing acceptance and safety.
When performed once every three years, and possibly supplemented by interim checks, CT and MRI scans offer a low-risk, high-value approach to understanding health and preventing disease.
The Bottom Line: Prevention Works
At Echelon Health, data from mortality studies show that their advanced assessments can detect the root cause of death in 92% of men and 95% of women. That’s the difference between broad statistical probability and personalised medical insight.
Standard assessments may save a few lives on a population level. But they are not adequate for identifying risk in individuals. Worse, they can create a false sense of security, leading people to ignore symptoms because “the test said I was fine.”
That’s why prevention must be personal. It must be powered by the best that modern medicine has to offer. And it must be an integral part of your company’s wellbeing strategy.
Advanced Imaging Technology and Specialist Expertise
Echelon Health combines state-of-the-art imaging technology with the expertise of leading specialist radiologists and doctors. This meticulous approach ensures the most accurate detection of health risks, offering unparalleled insight into an individual’s well-being. Every scan and test is conducted with precision, and results are analysed by experts in their respective fields.
Unrivalled Diagnostic Precision
Through our comprehensive health assessments, our clinicians at Echelon Health can detect up to 95% of the preventable causes of premature death in a single visit. By identifying early signs of serious conditions, these assessments can empower individuals to take action and make positive lifestyle changes when it matters most.
Extensive and Detailed Screening Process
Echelon Health’s Health Assessments are designed to leave no stone unturned, offering an in-depth evaluation of an individual’s health through a combination of advanced tests and specialist reviews.
1. Medical History Review and Blood Tests:
Every assessment begins with a detailed medical history review and a comprehensive blood test covering over 40 parameters, including organ function, hormone levels and cancer markers.
2. CT Scans:
- Heart and Coronary Arteries: Early detection of atherosclerosis and heart disease through coronary artery scans.
- Chest and Lungs: Identification of early-stage lung cancer and other chest abnormalities.
- Abdomen and Pelvis: Scans for tumours or abnormalities in organs such as the liver, kidneys and pancreas.
3. MRI and Ultrasound Screenings:
- Brain and Cerebral Arteries: MRI scans to detect aneurysms, tumours, or abnormalities in the brain and blood vessels.
- Prostate (Men) or Ovarian and Breast Cancer (Women): High-precision imaging to catch early-stage cancers and previous unidentified issues.
- Thyroid and Testicular/Ovarian Health: Ultrasounds for detailed assessments.
4. Specialised Reporting and Consultation:
After all tests and scans are completed, results are reviewed by a team of up to seven specialist radiologists. The findings are then compiled into a detailed report, which is discussed with the individual during a consultation with an experienced Echelon Health doctor.
Echelon Health’s Corporate Assessments go far beyond a standard health check – they deliver potentially life-saving insights with unmatched precision and care. For businesses committed to their team’s well-being, we are proud to provide a solution that is both comprehensive and impactful.
A Tailored Approach for Every Business
At Echelon Health, we understand that every organisation has unique needs, which is why our Corporate Health Assessments are designed to be flexible and personalised. Here’s how we deliver a tailored approach:
1. Customised Health Screening Programmes
Echelon Health collaborates with businesses to design health assessment programmes that address specific workplace needs. Whether it is focused on executive-level assessments or broader team health initiatives, our assessments are crafted to provide maximum value and relevance for your organisation.
2. Minimising Administrative Burdens
Implementing health screenings shouldn’t add unnecessary workload for your HR team. At Echelon Health, we streamline the entire process, from scheduling to reporting, ensuring that everything runs smoothly with minimal administrative effort. Our efficient systems allow businesses to focus on operations while providing world-class health support for employees.
3. Confidentiality and Data-Driven Wellness Support
Employee trust is vital when it comes to health assessments. At Echelon Health we ensure strict confidentiality for all personal health data, maintaining employee privacy at every step. Anonymised and aggregated outcomes data can be provided to help businesses identify trends and shape targeted workplace wellness initiatives.
Build a Healthier Team and a Stronger Business
Our mission is to empower all our clients to take control of their health by providing the world’s most comprehensive health assessments. Whether it is detecting the early stages of life-threatening conditions or offering invaluable peace of mind, our Corporate Services have a profound and positive impact on individuals and businesses alike.
Contact Us Today
We would be delighted to partner with you to create a safer, healthier and more resilient workplace. To learn more about how our corporate assessments can benefit your team and organisation, please get in touch with us today.
- Visit Our Website: Discover our range of comprehensive private Health Assessment Packages, including our Corporate Health Assessments, tailored to your company’s needs.
- View Our Corporate Brochure: Explore how our comprehensive health assessments can enhance your team’s well-being and contribute to your business success in our Corporate Brochure.
- Contact Us: For more information or to schedule a private consultation with our Head of Private Clients, contact us today.
Prioritise your team’s health and secure the future of your business. Together, let’s build a healthier, stronger tomorrow.
Did you enjoy this blog? If so, we think you’d enjoy the Wealth of Health podcast. Find us on YouTube and Spotify
Further Reading
https://hbr.org/2010/12/whats-the-hard-return-on-employee-wellness-programs
https://www.who.int/activities/promoting-healthy-safe-and-resilient-workplaces-for-all
https://www.cdc.gov/workplace-health-promotion/php/index.html
