A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association reveals that while 95% of U.S. employees are actively trying to improve their health and well-being, many face significant financial barriers. Half of the respondents (50%) reported that healthcare costs have made it difficult to pay for day-to-day expenses, including food, childcare and rent. Nearly as many (47%) said they have stopped or decreased their retirement contributions to afford healthcare costs and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The survey, which included 2,001 employees enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans, underscores the tension between health aspirations and financial realities. According to the Business Group on Health, large employers anticipate a median 9% increase in healthcare costs in 2026 before cost-reduction measures. This trend exacerbates the burden on workers already stretched by limited wage growth and inflation.
“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. “Employers are important allies in this work - their influence is critical to prioritizing more affordable, accessible care for all.”
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 costs, the survey identified other barriers to employee health: 36% cited managing work-life balance, 30% found time constraints, and 23% pointed to parenting and caregiving responsibilities. The vast majority of employees (92%) agreed that health and well-being should be supported in day-to-day work, not just through policies, and 93% want company leaders to exemplify work-life balance.
The findings come as the American Heart Association continues its efforts to address healthcare affordability, emphasizing the role of employers in driving systems-level change. The organization, trusted by 82% of U.S. adults according to a poll by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, advocates for strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure and the public health system to reduce inequities.
