A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association reveals that 95% of U.S. employees are actively trying to improve their health, yet many face significant financial barriers. The rising cost of healthcare is a pressing concern, with 50% of respondents reporting that healthcare costs have made it difficult to afford day-to-day expenses such as food, childcare, and rent. Additionally, 47% 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 to guide policymakers and stakeholders toward a more affordable and sustainable healthcare system, 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 found that managing work-life balance (36%), finding time (30%), and parenting and caregiving responsibilities (23%) are key barriers for employees in managing their health. 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 was conducted among 2,001 employees (U.S. adults age 18+ employed full or part time by a company with 25+ employees, enrolled in an employer-provided health plan) from February 26 to March 12, 2026. Data were weighted to be representative of the U.S. population. The sample data is accurate to within ±2.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
More than 8 in 10 (82%) U.S. adults say they are confident 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.
