5 employee wellbeing predictions for 2021

Coming off a historically turbulent year, what can wellness pros and communicators take for the coming months? Experts from the well-being tech provider Virgin Pulse in a recent webinar shared several critical wellness predictions for the year ahead.

The experts, Andrew Jacobus, vice president of the Virgin Pulse Institute, along with Dr. David Batman and Dr. Gary Smithson, members of Virgin Pulse’s Science Advisory Board, laid out predictions culled from thought leaders in the fields of health and wellness. Here are a few common themes.

1. Telehealth and digital wellbeing solutions will become increasingly important to employees.

“We’re never going back,” predicted Dexter Shurney, chief medical officer for Foodsmart, one of the thought leaders featured in the presentation.

After COVID-19 forced many health and wellbeing visits to be conducted virtually, telehealth’s value in expanding access and allowing greater convenience and efficiency has become clear. Even after the pandemic, employers will need to continue to offer digital wellbeing solutions to remain competitive. Health monitoring and management apps, virtual fitness classes and telemedicine appointments will all be areas for investment.