Abstract
Disease management is becoming increasingly important in workplace health promotion given the aging workforce, rising chronic disease prevalence, and needs to maintain a productive and competitive American workforce. Despite the widespread availability of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), and its known health-related benefits, program adoption remains low in workplace settings. The primary purpose of this study is to compare personal and delivery characteristics of adults who attended CDSMP in the workplace relative to other settings (e.g., senior centers, healthcare organizations, residential facilities). This study also contrasts characteristics of CDSMP workplace participants to those of the greater United States workforce and provides recommendations for translating CDSMP for use in workplace settings. Data were analyzed from 25,664 adults collected during a national dissemination of CDSMP. Only states and territories that conducted workshops in workplace settings were included in analyses (n = 13 states and Puerto Rico). Chi-squared tests and t-tests were used to compare CDSMP participant characteristics by delivery site type. CDSMP workplace participant characteristics were then compared to reports from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of the 25,664 CDSMP participants in this study, 1.7% (n = 435) participated in workshops hosted in worksite settings. Compared to CDSMP participants in non-workplace settings, workplace setting participants were significantly younger and had fewer chronic conditions. Differences were also observed based on chronic disease types. On average, CDSMP workshops in workplace settings had smaller class sizes and workplace setting participants attended more workshop sessions. CDSMP participants in workplace settings were substantially older and a larger proportion were female than the general United States workforce. Findings indicate opportunities to translate CDSMP for use in the workplace to reach new target audiences.
Highlights
Chronic diseases are multi-dimensional and affect all aspects of people’s lives, especially work [1, 2]
The United States Administration on Aging led this initiative in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to support the delivery of Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia [17]
CDSMP workshop held in workplace settings had 10.82 (±3.89) participants
Summary
Chronic diseases are multi-dimensional and affect all aspects of people’s lives, especially work [1, 2]. It has been reported that, depending on the chronic condition involved, between 22 and 49% of employees experience difficulties meeting physical work demands, while between 27 and 58% have problems meeting psychosocial work requirements [3]. These problems can lead to job loss or premature departure from the workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that between 2006 and 2016, the number of workers aged 65–74 years will increase by 83%, and those aged 75 and older will increase by 84% [4] Many of these older workers will have one or more chronic diseases; 77% of older adults currently have two or more comorbidities [5]. Recognizing the growing prevalence of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes) and related chronic conditions among working-aged Americans [6], interventions are needed to arm middle-aged and older employees with skills and strategies to manage their diseases and associated symptoms
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