Abstract
Worksite health interventions are not novel but their effect remains subject of debate. We examined employer-based wellness program to determine health habits trends, and compare prevalence estimates to national data. We conducted serial surveys (1996 and 2007–10) to employees of a large medical center that included questions measuring outcomes, including obesity, regular exercise, cardiovascular activity, and smoking status. Logistic regression models were estimated to compare data by membership across years, considering p-values ≤ 0.01 as statistically significant. 3,206 employees responded (Response rates 59–68%). Obesity prevalence increased over time in members and nonmembers of the wellness facility, consistent with national trends. Members had a lower prevalence of cigarette smoking compared to nonmembers (overall year-adjusted odds ratio 0.66, P < 0.001). Further, employees had a lower prevalence of cigarette smoking (9.7 vs. 17.3% in 2010, P < 0.001) compared with national data. Wellness facility membership was associated with increased regular exercise and cardiovascular exercise (P < 0.001) compared to nonmembers. In summary, working in a medical center was associated with a decreased prevalence of cigarette smoking, but not with lower prevalence of obesity. Worksite wellness facility membership was associated with increased exercise and decreased cigarette smoking. Employer-based interventions may be effective in improving some health behaviors.
Highlights
MethodsThis study was conducted at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic is the largest private employer in the state of MN with 32,347 employees of whom 85.3% are allied health staff, 9.2% are physicians, and 5.5% non-health services staff
Escalating healthcare costs and health problems such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor dietary habits are among the top health issues facing the nation today, possibly leading to a reduced average lifespan for the first time since the 1900s1
In assessing employees in a health care setting, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which included more than 21,000 healthcare workers, found that healthcare workers have a prevalence of smoking and obesity similar to non-health care workers[8]
Summary
This study was conducted at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic is the largest private employer in the state of MN with 32,347 employees of whom 85.3% are allied health staff, 9.2% are physicians, and 5.5% non-health services staff. The outcomes (obesity, self-reported exercise, achievement of recommended cardiovascular activity, obtaining significant physical activity, and smoking status) were compared between members and non-members within each year using logistic regression models which included predictors for DAHLC membership (yes/no), year (nominally: 1996, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010), and the interaction between the two in order to estimate the effects separately within year by DAHLC membership status. Each of these regression models utilized generalized estimating equations to account for repeated data between 2007 and 2008 (same cohort). We considered p-values ≤ 0.01 to be statistically significant
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