Understanding the triple threat of Cardiodiabesity – a growing risk to workforce health

Cardiodiabesity refers to the frequent co occurrence of obesity, type 2 diabetes (or prediabetes), and cardiovascular disease. Together, they amplify adversity for both people and organisations. Employers must implement integrated models to build healthier, more vital workforces.

Employers face escalating costs and health risks as increasing numbers of employees contend with ‘cardiodiabesity’, a triple threat of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. But with an integrated, proactive healthcare plan, employers can turn the tide, and Cigna Healthcare is ready to help lead the way.

Cardiodiabesity explained

Cardiodiabesity refers to the frequent co‑occurrence of obesity, type 2 diabetes (or prediabetes), and cardiovascular disease. Each condition poses serious health risks on their own, but together they amplify adversity for both people and organisations. Studies show that individuals with all three conditions are twice as likely to be hospitalised and suffer with a significantly reduced quality of life. The good news? With timely prevention, cardiodiabesity is largely avoidable.

Why a single term matters

Calling these interconnected conditions ‘cardiodiabesity’ brings urgency to treating them as a whole, hence why Evernorth Health Services, a part of The Cigna Group, uses the term. When lifestyle intervention, medication, and risk‑factor management are coordinated, outcomes and return on investment improve significantly.

This unified approach helps break down silos in care delivery and drives better collaboration across medical disciplines, making it easier to deliver truly person‑centred, preventative health support.

The true cost burden

With the escalating costs of cardiodiabesity, the imperative for employers to respond becomes increasingly pressing. If prevention and treatment efforts don’t improve, the global economic impact of obesity is projected to exceed $4.3 trillion annually by 2035. Furthermore, Evernorth Research Institute cites the significant growth of medications geared towards cardiodiabesity conditions and their risk factors, predicting that the collective cost of these conditions will likely worsen, placing a significant economic burden on society and employers globally.

Obesity is set to affect 51% of the global population by 2035 based on current trends. Diabetes cases are projected to rise by about 50% globally by 2050 to at least 1.3 billion people. And cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.

By 2030, 3 billion adults (50% of the global adult population) are projected to be overweight or obese. These conditions affect adults of all ages. The World Heart Federation 2025 report projects that by 2050, 2 in 3 adults aged 25 or older could be living with obesity around the world. The compounding effects are poised to overwhelm both public and private health systems.

A growing challenge for employers

Cardiodiabesity isn’t going away. Beyond direct medical expenses, it drives higher absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increasing reliance on costly new therapies. Obesity in the workplace contributes to long-term disability claims, lost productivity, and increased individual healthcare costs. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are among the costliest chronic conditions for employers in terms of medical claims. In 2024, diabetes treatment costs globally were estimated over $1 trillion USD.

The top priority is prevention and is the most cost-effective strategy. People with risk factors like hypertension, prediabetes or high cholesterol require early intervention. Like most chronic disease prevention, treatment comes down to significant lifestyle changes, hence why integrated healthcare solutions are important.

Prevention is the priority

Employers can reduce incidence by promoting healthy eating, regular movement, smoking cessation, alcohol moderation, and routine monitoring of blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight. Focusing on metabolic health — not just weight management — is essential for effective prevention strategies. Monitoring key indicators like blood sugar, triglycerides, and blood pressure provides a more accurate picture of employee health risks and enables earlier, more cost-effective interventions.

Recent data from the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that lifestyle interventions can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 58%, highlighting the power of timely, simple steps in driving long-term health benefits.

With early detection and intervention, employers can avoid the downstream consequence, and costs, of late‑stage disease.

How Cigna Healthcare supports proactive care

Cigna’s holistic approach wraps together personalised programmes spanning medical, behavioural, pharmacy, and clinical care. Our data‑driven care coordination ensures employees receive the right care at the right time, enhancing outcomes while minimising inefficiencies and duplicated services.

Dr. Stella George, Chief Medical Officer at Cigna Healthcare International Health, says, “Cardiodiabesity is costly for both individuals and employers who delay acting. The key to addressing these costs is early intervention and prevention. At Cigna Healthcare, we treat it as a medical condition that needs attention and care to manage. Innovative approaches are required to promote healthy lifestyle choices and overall well-being.”

Why employers should act now

In high-income countries, the per person cost can be high, taking into consideration the vast differences in healthcare access, as well as treatment costs globally. In short, unaddressed cardiodiabesity puts cost pressure on individuals, straining households, lowering morale, and increasing turnover.

Employers can no longer afford to take a piecemeal approach to prevention. Those who implement integrated care models not only protect employees but also build a healthier, more energised workforce aligned with greater organisational performance. Proactive care strategies are also powerful recruitment and retention tools, helping businesses compete for talent by showing they prioritise employee well-being and long-term health security. By focusing on prevention, reversing unhealthy trends and changing lifestyles, combined with integrated health care plans and holistic health care strategies that mitigate high costs of chronic medical conditions, employers can create a more vital workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions for HR Managers and Employers:

1. How does cardiodiabesity affect organisational performance?
   Employees affected by cardiodiabesity are more likely to experience absenteeism and long-term disability. These conditions also increase reliance on high-cost medications and treatments, which can strain employer-sponsored health plans.
2. How can Cigna Healthcare support our benefits strategy?
   Cigna provides integrated, data-driven care solutions that align with your organisation’s health goals. From personalised care coordination to behavioural and pharmacy support, Cigna helps ensure employees receive timely, effective care—improving outcomes and reducing waste.
3. Why is metabolic health more important than just weight loss?
   Focusing solely on weight overlooks critical indicators like blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. A metabolically healthy employee may not appear overweight but could still be at risk. Comprehensive health assessments are key to effective prevention.
4. What proactive steps can employers take to reduce cardiodiabesity risk?
   Employers can implement wellness initiatives that promote healthy eating, physical activity, and regular health screenings. Offering access to preventive care, digital health tools, and coaching programs can help employees manage risk factors before they escalate.