Unum spotlights top stressors during Men’s Health Month
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Recent research from Unum
(NYSE: UNM), a leading provider of leave management services and
employee benefits in the U.S., details the prevalence of stress and
behavioral health concerns among the nation’s men. In support of Men’s
Health Month, insight from recent consumer research, claims data and
Unum professionals include:
Men experience many sources of stress
In a Unum-commissioned consumer poll among U.S. adults earlier this
year, nearly half (47 percent) of men said they experience stress or
anxiety at least once or twice a week. Among these guys, finances (45
percent), home life and family (37 percent), job responsibilities (33
percent) and personal health (32 percent) were the leading stress
triggers. Stress has physical, behavioral and cognitive side effects.
While it can manifest differently from person to person, common signs
include a significant change in quality of work, professional demeanor
or personality.
“Stress impacts worker productivity and can escalate over time to more
serious health concerns and absences,” said Greg Breter, senior vice
president of Benefits at Unum. “While stress may not be reported as the
primary cause of absence, it’s often the underlying issue that caused or
exacerbated another health condition and slowed down recovery.”
Younger men file more behavioral health disability claims
According to 2017 Unum claims data, behavioral health issues account for
11 percent of short-term disability claims from Millennial men and 9
percent of GenX men. For Millennial men, behavioral health issues are
the second-most prevalent short-term disability claim (behind injury)
and for GenX men, it’s the fifth.
Finances are the top cause of stress among men
In addition to finding that 45 percent of men were stressed about their
finances, Unum’s consumer study also found that half of households would
not be able to pay bills for more than two months if they were unable to
work and earn an income. About one in four (27 percent) could pay bills
for only a month.
Personal finance expert Laura Adams recommends taking a mid-year
financial checkup. Her first tip is to maintain an emergency savings
fund.
“Ideally, you should have three to six months’ worth of living expenses
on hand in case your income dries up or you have a large unexpected
expense,” said Adams. “But if you’re starting from scratch or have
substantially less savings, remember that having some cash to fall back
on is better than none.”
In addition to maintaining a healthy emergency fund, another key way to
safeguard your finances from the unexpected is to have the right
insurance. One
in three adults will become disabled for at least three months
sometime during their working years.
For more insight and tips on living healthy and reducing stress, visit WorkWell.
About Unum
Unum Group (www.unum.com)
is a leading provider of financial protection benefits in the United
States and the United Kingdom. Its primary businesses are Unum US,
Colonial Life, and Unum UK. Unum’s portfolio includes disability, life,
accident and critical illness, dental and vision coverage, which help
protect millions of working people and their families in the event of an
illness or injury. Unum also provides stop-loss coverage to help
self-insured employers protect against unanticipated medical costs. The
company reported revenues of $11.3 billion in 2017 and provided nearly
$7 billion in benefits.
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Unum Group
Brad Carmony, 423-294-5238
Toll free: 866-850-8686
Bcarmony@unum.com
Source: Unum Group