DALLAS - U.S. employees are highly motivated to improve their health, but are limited by finances, time and work structure, according to a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Heart Association. The rising cost of healthcare is a particularly pressing concern. Half (50%) of survey respondents agree that healthcare costs have made it difficult to afford day-to-day expenses, including food, childcare and rent. Nearly as many (47%) say they 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.
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 or no-cost-sharing for high-value care, and strategic investments in the healthcare workforce.
In addition to healthcare costs (21%), the survey found managing work-life balance (36%), finding the time (30%), and parenting and caregiving responsibilities (23%) are key barriers for employees in managing their health. The vast majority of U.S. employees agree that employee health and well-being should be supported in how they work day-to-day, not just through policies or program offerings (92%), and a similar proportion want company leaders to set a good example for employees when it comes to work-life balance (93%).
The survey, conducted February 26 – March 12, 2026, included 2,001 employees. Data was weighted to reflect actual proportions in the population. The sample data is accurate to within ± 2.8 percentage points using 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 information related to public health, according to a recent poll by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center.
