According to the Asian Development Bank’s Asian Development Outlook 2020 Update, company policies that prioritize health and wellness are essential moving forward.
Aside from the obvious risks of potential contracting COVID-19, the pandemic has led to a number of other issues such as increased mental health problems. The chapter, titled Wellness in Worrying Times, explores how human wellness has a direct correlation to boosting the economy.
“Wellness involves the pursuit of activities that lead to holistic health, happiness, and well-being,” said Yasuyuki Sawada, ADB Chief Economist. “The pandemic has had a significant negative impact on physical and mental health, and governments should incorporate wellness-promoting policies into their recovery plans to promote economic growth that will benefit both individuals and society.”
According to the report, wellness measures like creating a work environment that emphasizes healthy habits can contribute to an area’s economic recovery. In order to do this, governments and companies both should encourage and support public infrastructure that helps boost wellness such as walkways, bicycle lanes, parks and more.
Additionally, governments and business leaders should encourage people to be more mindful of their nutrition and diet. Some governments have even implemented increased taxes on unhealthy drinks and tobacco products.
