Empowering Heart Health in the Union Labor Community
How Hello Heart Is Supporting Members, Families, and Benefit Funds
Heart health isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a workforce, family, and economic issue. For the union labor community, where members power our infrastructure, transportation systems, utilities, and manufacturing, protecting long-term health is essential to sustaining strong careers and strong communities.
That’s where Hello Heart comes in.
In a recent conversation, Dr. Edo Paz, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at Hello Heart, shared how the company is helping unions and benefit funds take a proactive, data-driven approach to cardiovascular health—one that delivers both better outcomes for members and real cost savings for health plans.
Why Heart Health Matters for Union Members
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States and is also the most expensive chronic disease impacting healthcare systems. For many union members, the risk is even higher.
Elevated Risk in Labor Occupations
Many workers in unionized industries—such as plant and machine operators, professional drivers, construction trades, and shift workers—face increased cardiovascular risk due to:
- Physically demanding work
- Irregular schedules and night shifts
- Higher stress levels
- Limited access to preventive care during work hours
These risk factors make early detection, education, and ongoing support especially critical for the labor community.
A Digital, Member-Centered Approach to Heart Health
Hello Heart was built to empower individuals to understand and manage their own heart health using simple, accessible tools.
What the Hello Heart Program Includes
- Smartphone app designed for everyday use
- Connected blood pressure cuff to track key metrics at home
- Clear, easy-to-understand education on heart health
- Personalized digital coaching focused on diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes
The goal isn’t to overwhelm members—it’s to meet them where they are, provide clarity, and help them take small, sustainable steps toward better health.
Proven Clinical Results—and Real Cost Savings
Hello Heart isn’t just innovative; it’s evidence-based.
Clinical Outcomes
Peer-reviewed studies show that members using Hello Heart experience meaningful improvements, including:
- Reduced blood pressure
- Lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
- Healthy weight loss
These are exactly the outcomes that reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and long-term complications.
Financial Impact for Benefit Funds
From a union and fund perspective, the results are just as compelling:
- Average 19% reduction in medical claims for employers
- A real-world case study with an electricians’ union achieved $1.2 million in healthcare savings
This demonstrates that investing in preventive, digital health solutions can protect both members’ well-being and the long-term sustainability of benefit funds.
Advancing Health Equity Across the Workforce
Equity is a core principle of Hello Heart’s design.
Program outcomes have been shown to be consistent across:
- Age
- Race and ethnicity
- Geography
- Primary language
- Income levels
- Gender
For unions that represent diverse memberships across multiple trades and regions, this matters. It means every member—regardless of background—has the same opportunity to improve their heart health.
A Natural Fit for Union Health Plans
Hello Heart is designed to integrate smoothly into existing health plans, making it a cost-effective, scalable solution for unions, Taft-Hartley funds, and public-sector plans looking to:
- Improve member health outcomes
- Reduce long-term healthcare costs
- Support preventive care and wellness
- Demonstrate real value to members and families
As Dr. Paz emphasized, heart health is one of the most impactful areas where unions can invest proactively—and see measurable returns.
Looking Ahead: Supporting Members for the Long Term
Strong unions are built on healthy members. By embracing innovative, evidence-based solutions like Hello Heart, labor organizations can continue leading the way in:
- Protecting workers on and off the job
- Supporting families and retirees
- Strengthening benefit funds for future generations
Union leaders and benefit administrators interested in learning more are encouraged to connect with Hello Heart to explore how this solution can be tailored to their membership and health plan goals.
Because when union members are healthier, everyone wins.
The ULA Network would like to thank our sponsors and supporters for believing in our mission to support educate and promote our union labor family and our communities. To learn more visit: https://www.ulanetwork.com/supporters
