Cylinder State of Gut Health in the Workplace Survey Reveals Millions of American Workers Suffer Through GI Issues in Silence
July 10 2024 - 9:00AM
Cylinder, the employee benefit provider for gastrointestinal (GI)
care, today announced the results of the Cylinder State of Gut
Health in the Workplace Survey, conducted on the company’s behalf
by The Harris Poll.
The survey reveals that nearly three-quarters of Americans (71%)
experience GI issues at least a few times a month, and nearly a
third of Americans (31%) have been diagnosed with a GI
condition.
For employers, these digestive issues can seriously impact their
employees’ productivity and morale. Employed Americans who
experience gut issues at least a few times a month or who have been
diagnosed with a GI condition said the following about their
experiences at work:
Gut distress results in absenteeism and lost
productivity:
- 59% say they have needed to miss work, leave early, or come in
late due to GI issues.
- 60% say that if they needed to take time off from work for GI
symptoms, they wouldn’t tell their manager that was why and instead
would say they were sick with something else.
- 72% say they are less productive at work when they are
experiencing GI issues.
Social stigma around gut issues makes it difficult for
employees to speak up:
- 74% feel like they need to work through GI issues instead of
taking the day off.
- 67% don’t feel comfortable discussing their GI issues with
their manager at work.
- Women are more likely than men to say this (73% vs. 60%).
- 75% would feel more comfortable asking for time off work if
they were experiencing flu symptoms than when experiencing GI
symptoms.
Employees need better support from employers to manage
their gut issues:
- 47% don’t have the time to address their GI issues properly
(e.g., go to the doctor, get necessary testing, work with a
dietitian).
- 67% wish their employer offered benefits and resources to help
them manage their GI symptoms.
“Millions of workers across the country struggle with
debilitating GI issues that interfere with their work and overall
quality of life. But due to the social stigma around gut health,
employers often don’t know that their employees are struggling
until they look at the company’s medical claims,” said Bill Snyder,
CEO of Cylinder. “With improved access to gastrointestinal care,
support, and resources, the frustration we’re seeing reflected in
this survey can be prevented and employees can lead happier and
healthier lives, gut-first.”
GI issues cost Americans $136 billion in healthcare expenditures
per year, which is more than heart disease, trauma, or mental
health, and are a top emerging cost driver for employers. To reduce
healthcare costs and support those suffering from GI issues in the
workplace, Snyder recommends employers provide tools and resources
to help employees navigate their gut health journey. By doing so,
companies can empower employees to take control of their health so
they can get back to work and life with fewer interruptions.
Cylinder works with employers to help employees manage
challenging chronic and acute digestive issues like irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, heartburn, gas, and more.
Cylinder’s approach to comprehensive GI care is clinically
effective, with 91% of members reporting improved GI symptoms, and
92% reporting improved quality of life.
For more information about Cylinder, visit
www.cylinderhealth.com.
About CylinderFounded in 2021 and offered as an
employer benefit, Cylinder (formerly Vivante Health) delivers
personalized, clinician-backed care to those suffering from
digestive issues through its virtual health platform. Cylinder’s
tech-forward, human-first program connects members to the right
level of support at the right time through an easy interface –
decreasing costs, reducing absenteeism, and improving their quality
of life, at scale. Cylinder’s vision is to create a world where
people receive convenient, personalized, and affordable access to
the quality digestive healthcare they need to improve their overall
health. Learn more at cylinderhealth.com.
Survey MethodologyThis survey was conducted
online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of
Cylinder Health between March 21-25, 2024 among 2,082 adults ages
18+, among whom 894 are employed and have experienced GI
issues at least a few times a month or have been diagnosed
with a GI condition. The sampling precision of Harris online polls
is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study,
the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points
using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology,
including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please
contact sergut@propllr.com.
Media ContactSergut
Dejenesergut@propllr.com