A 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 and work-life challenges are significant barriers. The survey, which included 2,001 employees enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans, found that 95% of respondents are actively trying to improve their health and well-being. However, the rising cost of healthcare is a pressing concern, with 50% agreeing that healthcare costs have made it difficult to afford day-to-day expenses such as food, childcare and rent. Nearly as many (47%) say they have stopped or decreased their retirement contributions to afford healthcare costs and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“No one should have to skip buying groceries or halt their retirement savings to cover medical expenses,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “The American Heart Association is committed to addressing healthcare affordability in our efforts to build a world of longer, healthier lives. Employers are important allies in this work - their influence is critical to prioritizing more affordable, accessible care for all.”
According to a 2026 Business Group on Health survey, large employers anticipate a median 9% increase in healthcare costs this year before cost-reduction measures. In response, business leaders are increasingly focused on lowering costs and strengthening comprehensive support for workforce well-being. A recent Presidential Advisory from the American Heart Association warns that healthcare affordability in the U.S. has reached crisis levels. The advisory outlines five core principles, including access to high-quality care without financial hardship, minimal cost-sharing for high-value preventive services, and shared accountability across the healthcare ecosystem.
Beyond healthcare costs, the survey identified other barriers to employee health: managing work-life balance (36%), finding time (30%), and parenting or caregiving responsibilities (23%). The vast majority of employees (92%) agree that health and well-being should be supported in how they work day-to-day, not just through policies or programs, and 93% want company leaders to set a good example for work-life balance.
The survey methodology included data weighting to reflect population proportions, with a credible interval of ±2.8 percentage points. The American Heart Association, a leading source of health information for over a century, continues to advocate for affordable healthcare. For more information, visit heart.org.
