Two-Year Comparison Data of an Employee Health and Wellness Program

Abstract

The employee wellness segment of a collaborative program between two hospital facilities has shown improvements in some health risks identified in this population. To date, approximately one third of the 3000 plus employees have been screened using a health assessment questionnaire. Dietetic interns and nursing students, trained by the dietitian and health promotion director, distributed health assessment questionnaires and administered screening tests annually for two consecutive years. Screening tests included blood pressure, height, weight, waist/hip measurements as well as low back flexibility, cardiovascular step test, and laboratory work including lipid panel, glucose and PSA (prostates specific antigen) for men over 40 years. Approximately 650 employees participated in the first year screening. The top five health risks identified for employees in year one were nutrition related: Cancer risk 90%, poor nutrition 81%, overweight 58%, high cholesterol 51%, coronary risk 47%. Education interventions were targeted to employees scoring high in a specific category, but were also open to all employees. Programs included awareness campaigns and classes on the food guide pyramid, heart healthy diet, cancer prevention and fitness. Of the 650 employees screened in year one, 198 (30%) completed the year two follow up screening. Year two data shows two intervention target areas improved slightly in the first year. Employees scoring “good to excellent” in the low cancer risk and good nutritional status categories improved from 40% to 41% and 27% to 32% respectively. Other improvements were noted with over 60% of the follow up group achieving “good to excellent” in each of the following wellness factors: Fewer sick days, lower blood pressure, improved safety habits, and smoking/tobacco use. Although these overall changes were small, we saved approximately $31,857 by reducing sick days in the employee population as a whole. Improving cholesterol levels, weight status and coronary risk will be priorities in our continuing education interventions and awareness campaigns. Other health risks will also be targeted as they are identified in the annual wellness screening process.