Health care inequality is a problem among employees of large U.S. companies, a recent study reveals.
McKinsey & Company reported that 65% of all full-time employees of large U.S. employers had experienced at least one unmet basic need. The research also found out that women of color and LGBTQ+ employees have a greater share of unmet basic needs. Health care disparity is even prevalent among those minority employees who have high incomes.
“Health equity in the workplace means that all employees have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible,” the study’s authors wrote in a 10-page report, according to Benefits Pro. “Large employers have long offered employer-sponsored health insurance, but now many are asking what more they can do to help employees access the health care and other benefits they need.”
Sixty-six percent of LGBTQ+ employees reported having two or more unmet basic needs, and 69% of employees of color, making up to $100,000 in their household, have unmet needs as well, Benefits Pro reported.
Those not receiving the care they needed were twice as likely to consider switching employers.
Sixty-one percent of employees have stated that there is some degree of stigma around receiving mental health care, and 53% of all employees feel some degree of stigma about receiving physical care.
