A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association reveals that U.S. employees are highly motivated to improve their health, but financial constraints, time limitations, and workplace structures pose significant barriers. According to the survey, 95% of employees are actively striving to enhance their health and well-being. However, 50% report that healthcare costs have made it difficult to afford day-to-day expenses such as food, childcare, and rent. Additionally, 47% have decreased or stopped their retirement contributions to cover healthcare costs and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The findings underscore a critical affordability crisis in the U.S. healthcare system. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized that no one should have to forgo groceries or halt retirement savings to pay for medical expenses. She noted that employers play a vital role in addressing these challenges by prioritizing affordable, accessible care. A 2026 survey by the Business Group on Health indicates that large employers anticipate a median 9% increase in healthcare costs this year before implementing cost-reduction measures. In response, business leaders are focusing on comprehensive support and systems-level changes to improve workforce well-being.
The American Heart Association’s recent Presidential Advisory warns that healthcare affordability has reached crisis levels. The advisory outlines five core principles to guide policymakers and stakeholders: access to high-quality care without financial hardship; minimal or no cost-sharing for high-value preventive services; shared accountability across the healthcare ecosystem for efficiency and transparency; strategic investments in the healthcare workforce, infrastructure, and data; and strengthening public health infrastructure to address health inequities.
Beyond costs, the survey identified other key barriers to managing health, including work-life balance (36%), finding time (30%), and parenting or caregiving responsibilities (23%). An overwhelming majority of employees (92%) agree that their health and well-being should be supported in daily work, not just through policies or programs. Similarly, 93% want company leaders to model good work-life balance.
The survey was conducted among 2,001 U.S. employees aged 18 and older who work full or part time for companies with at least 25 employees, are enrolled in employer-provided health plans, and have coverage through their employer. Data were weighted to reflect national demographics, with a credibility interval of ±2.8 percentage points.
More than 8 in 10 U.S. adults express confidence in the American Heart Association to provide trustworthy public health information, according to a poll by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center. The association continues to advocate for a more affordable, equitable healthcare system.
