Insurer offers educational program to close knowledge gap and encourage addiction prevention, treatment and recovery, in an effort to help curb the opioid crisis
HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new survey by The
Hartford shows the opioid epidemic is having a tangible and growing
impact on employers of all sizes nationwide, and a majority of U.S.
workers and Human Resources (HR) professionals feel they have limited
knowledge and resources to address addiction.
The national survey of 2,000 U.S. workers and 500 HR leaders showed
two-thirds of HR professionals (67 percent) said their companies are
impacted by opioid use today or will be in the future. In addition, 65
percent of HR professionals said opioid addiction is having a financial
impact on their company today.
“Now is the time for the business community to join in a united effort
advancing addiction prevention, treatment and recovery,” said The
Hartford’s Chairman and CEO Christopher
Swift. “All of us – companies, citizens and communities – must work
together to overcome this crisis. At The Hartford, we are committed to
providing consumers with educational resources, advocating for policy
change, and reducing the number, dosage and duration of opioid
prescriptions in our workers’
compensation and disability
businesses. It’s the right thing to do and a societal and business
imperative.”
Education Opportunity
Surveying employees from companies of all sizes across the U.S., The
Hartford’s research showed an opportunity for employers to provide
addiction education materials and consistent policies and procedures
regarding drug misuse.
A large majority of employees (76 percent) and HR professionals (64
percent) do not feel they are well-trained to help their colleagues
addicted to opioids. Only 24 percent of HR professionals and 18 percent
of employees feel very/extremely confident that they could spot the
signs of opioid addiction, and only 19 percent of HR professionals and
employees feel very/extremely knowledgeable about how to reduce the risk
of opioid addiction.
In order to close the knowledge gap about opioids, break the stigma of
addiction, and foster prevention, treatment and recovery, The Hartford
has partnered with nonprofit Shatterproof
on an
online educational program that covers the fundamentals of opioids
and addiction and provides information and resources for family, friends
and colleagues of individuals dealing with addiction. Accessible via The
Hartford’s website, the educational resource is available to any
individual interested in learning about opioids and addiction.
“As a former hotel executive and businessman, I have seen firsthand the
impact of addiction in the workplace. And with one in three U.S.
families impacted by addiction, employers play a critical role in
solving this crisis,” said Gary
Mendell, Founder and CEO of Shatterproof. “We are grateful to The
Hartford for their commitment to support employees struggling with
substance use disorders by providing education and resources through the
Shatterproof educational program. The efforts of the corporate community
are vital to reduce the stigma that prevents so many from seeking the
care they need. We look forward to working together to provide real,
compassionate solutions for families struggling with the disease of
addiction.”
The partnership with Shatterproof is The Hartford’s latest initiative to
address the opioid crisis. Through a comprehensive opioid management
strategy, the insurer has reduced the use of opioids among the injured
workers it insures by 43 percent since 2015.
The Hartford has been encouraging the safe disposal of unused
medications by providing its employees with free prescription disposal
bags. Beginning in Jan. 1, 2019, it will supply Rx disposal bags to
injured workers covered by its workers’ compensation and disability
policies.
Also, The Hartford has been advocating in states across the U.S. for
reforms that are proven to work, including the adoption of robust drug
formularies, mandatory physician and provider education, opioid duration
and dosage prescription restrictions, and strengthening prescription
drug monitoring programs.
Methodology
The Hartford’s Opioids In The Workplace Survey was conducted with an
online research panel between Aug. 9-15, 2018, using a nationally
representative sample of 2,500 U.S. adults comprised of two groups –
2,000 full- and part-time workers and 500 individuals with a Human
Resources role. The margin of error for the first group is ±2.2 percent
at the 95 percent confidence level and it is ±4.4 percent at the 95
percent confidence level for the second group.
About Shatterproof
Shatterproof is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending
the devastation the disease of addiction causes families. Shatterproof
is focused on one specific, urgent goal: To transform America’s broken
addiction treatment system. The organization is working to ensure that
every American with a substance use disorder has access to treatment
that’s based on proven research. Shatterproof advocates for changes to
federal and state policy, payer reform, and provider ratings, and
provides public education through family and workplace programs.
About The Hartford
The Hartford is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group
benefits and mutual funds. With more than 200 years of expertise, The
Hartford is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability
practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its
financial performance is available at https://www.thehartford.com.
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheHartford_PR.
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates
through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is
headquartered in Hartford, Conn. For additional details, please read The
Hartford’s legal notice.
HIG-C
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