15 digestive health stats employers shouldn’t ignore

Digestive health challenges may not always be visible in the workplace, but their effects on medical spending, missed workdays, and on‑the‑job performance are significant. Here are 15 data-backed stats that show why digestive health deserves a place in employer health strategies.

1. Up to 70 million Americans live with digestive diseases

An estimated 60–70 million people in the U.S. are affected by digestive diseases each year, making these conditions among the most common chronic health issues nationwide. (Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

2. Nearly 1 in 4 insured adults has a digestive condition

In a large commercially insured population, 24% of adults had at least one diagnosed digestive disease. (Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

3. Digestive diseases drive over 35 million physician visits annually

Diseases of the digestive system account for 35.4 million physician office visits each year as the primary diagnosis. (Source: CDC)

4. Digestive issues send nearly 9 million people to the ER each year

There are approximately 8.8 million emergency department visits annually with a digestive disease as the primary diagnosis. (Source: CDC)

5. GI health care costs exceed $110 billion annually

In 2021 alone, gastrointestinal-related health care expenditures totaled $111.8 billion in the U.S. (Source: Gastroenterology Journal)

6. GI diseases are the No. 3 cost driver for employers

Gastrointestinal diseases are now the third-highest-cost condition for U.S. employers, after cancer and diabetes. (Source: BenefitsPro)

7. Specialty drugs drive GI care costs

Specialty medications for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Stelara and Skyrizi, make up almost 80% of gastrointestinal-related health care expenses. (Source: Springbuk)

8. GERD affects approximately 1 in 4 adults

18%–28% of U.S. adults experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), making it one of the most common digestive conditions. (Source: The Global Statistics)

9. IBS interferes with work an average of 11 days per month

One study found that IBS interferes with productivity for about 11 days per month and leads to more than three missed workdays monthly on average. (Source: American Gastroenterological Association)

10. 71% of working adults experience GI issues at least monthly

A national survey of U.S. workers found that 71% experience gastrointestinal issues at least a few times per month. (Source: WorldatWork)

11. 72% of employees report lower productivity during GI flare-ups

Nearly three-quarters of employees say they are less productive at work when experiencing digestive symptoms. (Source: WorldatWork)

12. Digestive issues cause missed work for nearly 6 in 10 employees

59% of workers say they have missed work, arrived late, or left early due to gastrointestinal issues. (Source: Harris Poll)

13. GI conditions are a leading cause of short-term disability

Digestive issues are the second most common cause of short-term disability claims in the U.S.  (Source: Business Group on Health via Brown & Brown)

14. GI-related absenteeism costs billions nationally

Each chronic condition or risk factor – including digestive diseases – is associated with more than $2 billion annually in absenteeism costs nationwide. (Source: CDC)

15. Better digestive care can reduce sick days by double digits

A peer-reviewed employer study found that employees using virtual digestive care took 17% fewer sick days a year, saving hundreds of dollars per employee annually. (Source: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)

Digestive health directly affects workforce productivity and employer costs. Given how common these conditions are and their strong ties to missed work and reduced performance, digestive health presents a meaningful opportunity to support employees while controlling overall health care spend.

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