Two-year Comparison Research Articles

A two-year comparison of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty mini-humeral tray and augmented mini-glenoid baseplate implants vs. standard implants.

Patients who undergo reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) are getting younger with greater function expectations. This retrospective, longitudinal study of prospectively collected data compared perceived shoulder function and strength, active shoulder mobility, radiographic evidence of scapular notching, and implant survival over the initial 2-years post-RTSA among patient groups who received either standard central fixation point liner and glenoid baseplate implants, or lower size profile mini-humeral tray with offset trunnion options and mini-augmented glenoid baseplate implants. Patients who underwent primary RTSA using standard central fixation point liner and glenoid baseplate implants (Group 1, n = 180) were compared with patients who underwent primary RTSA using lower size profile mini-humeral tray with offset trunnion options and mini-augmented glenoid baseplate implants (Group 2, n = 53) for active shoulder mobility, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, perceived ability to lift 10 lbs (4.5 kg) overhead, radiographic evidence of scapular notching, and implant survival. Data was collected pre-surgery, 6-weeks, 6-months, 1-year, and 2-years post-RTSA (p ≤ 0.05). More Group 2 patients had more complex B or C Walch glenoid morphology, while Group 1 had more A1 or A2 types (p ≤ 0.001). Group 2 had greater active shoulder flexion at 6-months, 1-year, and 2-years (p ≤ 0.018) and external rotation (in adduction) at 6-months and 2-years (p ≤ 0.004) compared to Group 1, with higher ASES scores at 6-months and 2-years (p ≤ 0.026) (with small-to-medium effect sizes), and with more patients meeting or exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at 2-years (p = 0.045) and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) levels at 6-months, 1-year and 2-years (p ≤ 0.045). Scapular notching was identified in six of 53 (11.3%) Group 2 patients and in 32 of 180 (17.7%) Group 1 patients. Group 1 patients had more grade 2 or greater scapular notching grades compared to Group 2 (p = 0.04). Implant survival was comparable with Group 1 = eight of 180 (4.4%) and Group 2 = 1 of 53 (1.9%) of patients requiring removal for 95.6% and 98.1% implant survival, respectively. Limited scapular notching and excellent implant survival was observed in both groups. Despite including individuals with more complex glenoid deficiency, patients receiving the lower size profile implants generally displayed better active shoulder mobility and perceived shoulder function compared to those who received standard implants. These patients also more frequently met or exceeded the MCID by 2-years post-RTSA and PASS levels by 6-months, 1-year, and 2-years post-RTSA, with lower scapular notching grades. Retrospective comparative study.

Changes and predictors of mental health of Chinese university students after the COVID-19 pandemic: A two-year study

BackgroundPsychological repurcussions of COVID-19 pandemic has received wide attention, but there's limited attention paid to psychological recovery afterwards. This study focuses on the changes and predictive factors of mental health of Chinese university students post-pandemic. MethodsThis study included 1175 Chinese undergraduate students sampled in May 2022 and May–June 2023, right before and after peaks of infections following the end of lockdown policy in China. The participants completed a survey of demographic variables, and three questionnaires: 12-item General Health Questionnaire, Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire, and Prosocial Tendencies Measure. ResultsThe participants sampled in 2023 have significant lower GHQ scores and higher PPQ scores than those sampled in 2022, while there is no significant difference in PTM scores between them. The proportion of participants with GHQ-12 scores exceeding 12 in 2023 showed slightly decrease compared to that in 2022. The infection of significant others, the sense of hope, and PPQ self-efficiency, hope and optimism subscale scores were significantly associated with GHQ-12 scores in 2023, but actual infection or quarantine experience were not. ConclusionsThe mental health and psychological capital of the university students have been significantly improved within a year. It is worthy to pay attention to the infection of significant others, the sense of hope, and psychological capital in a pandemic to improve the mental health of university students. LimitationsCompared to a cross-sectional study, longitudinal research is the better choice for a two-year comparison.

Impact of the new European medical device regulation: a two-year comparison.

In recent years, the European Union has revised its regulatory framework for medical devices, primarily to improve patient safety and public health. The Medical Device Regulation (MDR) is fully applicable since May 2021, strengthening the requirements for all stakeholders. As a result, many companies are facing enormous challenges. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the MDR on the orthopaedic aids industry. Two surveys were conducted: one shortly before the MDR became applicable (146 respondents) and a second survey almost two years later (233 respondents). Both surveys revealed that all businesses in the orthopaedic aids sector, regardless of size, have difficulty implementing the MDR. Key challenges include additional workload for technical documentation, increased resource expenditure and cost, and lack of clarity regarding the new requirements. Many companies are downsizing their product portfolio, resulting in potential supply shortages and a loss of competitive advantage and innovation for the medical device industry in Europe. The full extent of the MDR's impact on clinical practice is still unclear. However, many companies lack the necessary resources. The MDR can potentially be a bottleneck in the availability of medical devices.

夫の海外赴任に同行する妻の現地相談相手，社会参加の滞在期間別2年間の比較 ―2016年と2017年のWeb縦断調査から―

夫の海外赴任に同行する妻の現地相談相手，社会参加の滞在期間別2年間の比較 ―2016年と2017年のWeb縦断調査から―

Two-Year Comparison of Airborne Measurements of CO2 and CH4 With GOSAT at Railroad Valley, Nevada

The Alpha Jet Atmospheric eXperiment (AJAX) is a project to measure the atmospheric profiles of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and ozone (O3) regularly over California and Nevada. Airborne instruments measuring GHGs and O3 are installed in a wing pod of an Alpha Jet aircraft and operated from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, CA. The instruments yield precise and accurate in situ vertical profiles of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and O 3. Measurements of vertical profiles of GHGs and O3 over Railroad Valley, NV have been conducted directly under the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) over passes on a monthly basis as part of the AJAX project since June 2011. The purpose of this work is to calculate aircraft-based dry-air mole fractions of the GHGs for the validation of GOSAT data products. This study expands and improves our previous comparisons by evaluating three algorithms against 24 months of in situ data collected over a Gain-M target. We used three different algorithms: Atmospheric CO2 Observations from Space (ACOS v3.4r3), Remote Sensing of Greenhouse Gases for Carbon Cycle Modeling (RemoteC v2.3.5FP), and National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES v2.11). We find that the CO2 average differences of ACOS and RemoteC from AJAX are 0.26% and 0.24%, respectively. The difference between NIES and AJAX is 0.96%, which is higher than that of ACOS and RemoteC. The CH4 average differences for RemoteC and NIES are 2.1% and 1.7%, respectively.

Two-year comparison of the biochemical properties of polyphenol oxidase from Turkish Alyanak apricot (Prunus armenica L.)

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted and purified from Turkish Alyanak apricot variety and its characteristics were studied in two consecutive years (2008 and 2009). Three isoenzymes (isoenzyme A1, A2 and B) were obtained upon ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography using DEAE-Toyopearl 650M and gel filtration chromatography using Sephadex G-100. The isoenzymes exhibited different kinetic properties. Furthermore, year-to-year variability in Km and Vmax values was significant. The pH optimum for enzyme activity was 4.98 for isoenzymes A1 and A2, and 5.8 for isoenzyme B. The isoenzymes A1 and B had optimum temperature at 30°C in both years whereas isoenzyme A2 had maximum activity at 40°C in 2008 and 30°C in 2009. The inactivation kinetics parameters and the effects of inhibitors tested exhibited significant year-to-year variation.

Patterns of alcohol use: a two-year college and four-year university comparison case study

With more than 12 million students enrolled in over 1,150 two-year institutions, enrollment at these institutions constitutes approximately 44% of all undergraduates in the United States. Despite this, research and prevention efforts related to drinking behaviors among college students attending two-year institutions are limited, with similar information regarding students at traditional four-year institutions readily available. This study sought to examine alcohol use patterns among students at a two-year college compared to a four-year institution. It was conducted at a large (20,000+ students), public, four-year institution and a medium (8,000+), public, two-year institution located in the same community. The Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, a 39-item instrument used by colleges and universities for assessing the nature, scope, and consequences of high risk drinking behaviors in college students, was administered to students at both a two-year (n = 581) and a four-year institution (n = 928) (Cremeens & Chaney, 2012).The prevalence estimates of current alcohol use among students at the two-year institution in this study are comparable to national estimates for students attending four-year institutions (67.5% and 69.0%, respectively). Estimates of high-risk alcohol use at the four-year institution in this study were higher than national prevalence estimates for similar colleges. Current drinkers and binge drinkers at both institutions experienced the same negative consequences. While the study results provide insight into the need for alcohol prevention efforts at community colleges, there are important factors and practical considerations related to these efforts presented here for community colleges and administrators to contemplate.

Validation of the ecosystem services of created wetlands: Two decades of plant succession, nutrient retention, and carbon sequestration in experimental riverine marshes

Wetlands provide many ecosystem services to society, most notably the provision of habitat for important plants and animals, the improvement of water quality, and the sequestration of carbon. Nitrogen and phosphorus budgets, vegetation structure and function, and carbon fluxes and accumulation are described for a pair of 1-ha created riverine wetlands in central Ohio USA over 20 years (1994–2013) of primary succession. The primary inflow to these experimental wetlands was from water pumped from the adjacent fourth-order Olentangy River. The pumping rate maintained for most of the years (an exception was a two-year comparison of pulsing and non-pulsing hydrology in the two wetlands in 2004–2005) was according to a pre-determined formula based on river stage. The pumped inflow to the wetlands averaged 38.7±1.5myr−1 with precipitation averaging 1.1myr−1 for the same years. Surface outflow averaged 27.1±1.4myr−1 and subsurface seepage was estimated to be 13.2±0.2myr−1 over that period. Both outflows returned water to the Olentangy River via surface and subsurface pathways respectively.Wetland plant richness increased from 13 species initially planted in one of the wetlands to 116 species overall after 17 years, with most of that richness (99 species) occurring in the first 5 years. The planted wetland had higher community diversity every year except one over 20 years while the naturally colonizing wetland was more productive especially in the first 7 years and overall still had 2000kg more organic matter input by ANPP after 17 years than did the planted wetland.Nutrient mass inflows to the wetlands averaged 5.61±0.30 g-Pm−2yr−1 (n=30 wetland years) for total phosphorus, 2.17±0.27g-Pm−2yr−1 (n=30 wetland years) for soluble reactive phosphorus, 122±3g-Nm−2yr−1 (n=14 wetland years) for total nitrogen, and 100±5g-Nm−2yr−1 (n=32 wetland years) for nitrate–nitrogen. Retention rates were 2.40±0.23g-Pm−2yr−1 for total phosphorus, 0.87±0.10g-Pm−2yr−1 for soluble reactive phosphorus, 38.8±2.2g-Nm−2yr−1 for total nitrogen, and 15.6±2.7g-Nm−2yr−1 for nitrate–nitrogen. Total phosphorus retention was higher in the planted wetland compared to the natural colonizing wetland (44.3±4.4% vs. 38.8±5.3% respectively; p=0.059) while total nitrogen retention was significantly higher in the naturally colonizing wetland compared to the planted wetland (32.1±2.0% vs. 28.4±2.6% respectively; p=0.000085). Investigation of trends of water quality improvement showed that, overall, nutrient retention decreased from the beginning of the study through the 17th year in 2010. More recent trends showed tendencies for water quality improvement in 9 out of 11 of the nutrient parameters and time periods investigated between 2003 and 2010.The wetlands were effective carbon sinks, with rates of carbon sequestration (219–267g-Cm−2yr−1, higher than those measured in a reference natural flow-through wetland. Both carbon sequestration and methane emissions have been consistently higher in the naturally colonizing wetland, theorized as due to the greater productivity of this wetland over several years in the middle of this study.

Years are not brothers: Two-year comparison of greenhouse gas fluxes in large shallow Lake Võrtsjärv, Estonia

Summary Two-year comparison of methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) fluxes from different habitat zones in Lake Vortsjarv revealed strong zonal, seasonal and annual variabilities. On average, largest emissions of both gases per unit area occurred in the helophyte zone. Fluxes of CO 2 exceeded those of CH 4 in both pelagic and littoral zones. In both years, emission peaks occurred in early spring and late autumn, but were considerably higher in 2010, which caused a more than twenty times higher net efflux. Annual differences in carbon emission were mostly accounted for by variable pelagic CO 2 fluxes caused by different ice and snow conditions in spring and phytoplankton growth patterns in summer and autumn. On an annual basis, carbon uptake predominated over release in the pelagic zone in 2009, whereas an opposite balance occurred in 2010. An almost continuous emission from the helophyte zone outbalanced the pelagic uptake in 2009, resulting in a positive net efflux from the lake as a whole. In 2010, when the pelagic area was also mostly emitting carbon, the efflux from the helophyte zone constituted 36% of the total. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the pelagic flux of CO 2 could be best described by opposite changes in phytoplankton biomass and pH ( R 2 = 0.68), whereas the best descriptors for the whole lake methane emission ( R 2 = 0.52) were sediment temperature (positive), saturation level of dissolved oxygen and depth (both negative). Strong annual differences in net C emissions of Vortsjarv confirm the necessity of inclusion longer observation period, compared to widely used one year/ice-free period, in cases of lakes in climate zones with large seasonal variabilities. The results also confirm the need for including GHG emissions from helophytes ( e.g . Phragmites australis ) to the lake’s net GHG budget, even if they cover a relatively small area.

Two-year Comparison of Lesional Outcomes of Long Versus Short Drug-eluting Stent in One Patient with Two Vessel Disease

Diffuse long coronary artery lesion remain difficult to treat in the era of durg-eluting stent (DES). The purpose of this study is to compare lesional outcomes of long and short stent implantation in one patient with two vessel disease.

Does Merger Simulation Work? A 'Natural Experiment' in the Swedish Analgesics Market

We exploit a natural experiment associated with a large merger in the Swedish market for analgesics (painkillers). We confront the predictions from a merger simulation study, as conducted during the investigation, with the actual merger effects over a two-year comparison window. The merger simulation model is based on a constant expenditures specification for the nested logit model (as an alternative to the typical unit demand specification). The model predicts a large price increase of 34% by the merging firms, because there is strong market segmentation and the merging firms are the only competitors in the largest segment. The actual price increase after the merger is of a similar order of magnitude: 42% in absolute terms and 35% relative to the “control group” of non-merging rivals. These findings suggest strong support for merger simulation and structural models of competition more generally. But a closer look at a wider range of merger predictions leads to more nuanced conclusions. First, both merging firms raised their prices by a similar percentage, while the simulation model predicted a larger price increase for the smaller firm. Second, the merging firms’ market shares dropped (as predicted), but one of the outsider firms’ market share also dropped (because it raised prices by a larger amount than predicted).

Chronological Comparison on Productivity for the Assessment of the Department of Health -Affiliated Hospitals in Taiwan – Application of Malmquist Productivity Index

This study used Malmquist Productivity Index and Bilateral Model to investigate the performance of productivity of the DOH (Department of Health)-affiliated in Taiwan in chronological order. The results showed that most of the DOH-affiliated hospitals experienced a progress in efficiency performance, technological transformation, and overall productivity from 2005 to 2006. However, there was a regress in all of them from 2006 to 2007. The reduction in production technology was mainly affected by NHI policies and the change in the management system of the DOH. However, according to the two-year comparison, there was still a progress in 2007, compared with that in 2005. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the operational efficiency between the two regional alliance systems divided by the DOH.

Two-year outcomes of RTOG 0529: A phase II evaluation of dose-painted IMRT in combination with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C for the reduction of acute morbidity in carcinoma of the anal canal.

368 Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and mitomycin-C (MMC) chemoradiation for anal cancer is associated with high rates of acute morbidity. We have previously shown that dose-painted IMRT (DP-IMRT) significantly reduces grade 3+ GI and dermatologic acute toxicity, as compared to the RTOG 9811 5FU/MMC arm, which used non-conformal radiation techniques. We now report on the two-year outcomes of this DP-IMRT approach. Methods: T2-4N0-3M0 anal canal cancers received 5FU (1,000 mg/m2/day 96 hour infusion) and MMC (10 mg/m2 bolus) days 1 and 29 of DP-IMRT prescribed as follows - T2N0: 42 Gy elective nodal and 50.4 Gy anal tumor planning target volumes (PTVs), 28 fractions; T3-4N0-3: 45 Gy elective nodal, 50.4 Gy ≤ 3 cm and 54 Gy > 3 cm metastatic nodal and 54 Gy anal tumor PTVs, 30 fractions. The following two-year outcomes were assessed: local-regional (LRF) and colostomy failures (CF) using the cumulative incidence method, and disease-free (DFS), overall (OS) and colostomy-free survivals (CFS) using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of 63 accrued patients, 52 were analyzable. Median age was 58 years; 81% female; 54% stage II; 25% IIIA; 21% IIIB. Median follow-up was 23.2 months (0.2-33). Two-year LRF, CF, DFS and 95% confidence intervals are 20% (9%, 31%), 8% (0.4%, 15%) and 77% (62%, 86%), respectively. The causes of death for the 7 patients that died are: anal cancer in 5, morbidity in one and second primary outside the radiation field in one. Two-year comparison data from the RTOG 9811 5FU/MMC arm are shown in the table below. Conclusions: DP-IMRT with 5FU/MMC for the treatment of anal canal cancer yields similar two-year outcomes as the RTOG 9811 conventional radiation, 5FU/MMC arm. Because of the associated acute toxicity sparing, DP-IMRT will be used as the platform, and may allow for radiation dose escalation, in future RTOG anal canal trials. Supported by RTOG U10 CA21661, CCOP U10 CA3742 and ATC U24 CA 81647 NCI grants. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Two-year comparison of photodynamic therapy and intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularisation

AimTo compare the long-term outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with that of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for myopic choroidal neovascularisations (mCNVs).Methods24 eyes were selected from 40 consecutive patients with mCNV, and...

Scientific papers presented at the European Congress of Radiology: a two-year comparison

The purpose of this report was to determine the rate at which abstracts orally presented at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2001 were published in 2001-2005 Medline-indexed journals and to compare publication rates and factors with presentations at the ECR in two different periods (2001 and 2000). Absolute and relative publication rates (APR, RPR) and different publication-related factors were analysed. From 991 abstracts originating from 52 countries, 449 articles (APR 45%) were subsequently published in 125 journals, most frequently in European Radiology (n=79, 18%). Country of origin statistically (p<0.0001) influences subsequent publication of the abstract, with Germany having the highest number of presentations (n=300) and derived articles (n=175, RPR 58%) whereas Sweden had the highest RPR (82%). Interventional and physics studies had the highest RPR (59% and 58%, respectively). The ECR meeting has a very high and stable APR (ECR 2001: 45% vs ECR 2000: 47%), and the journal European Radiology had the larger number of related publications (18% RPR following ECR 2001 compared with 14% from ECR 2000). Germany had the highest number of presentations and publications for both meetings. The highest RPR for ECR 2001 was found in interventional and physics studies whereas chest and cardiac studies had the highest RPR for ECR 2000.

Predictors of successful discharge from out-of-home care among children with complex needs

We examined the predictors for successful discharge from out-of-home care of children with complex needs placed in a novel comprehensive service intervention (Manatee Model) and compared their discharge experiences to their out-of-home counterparts from the same county. The study design consisted of a longitudinal two-year comparison of these two groups. A total of 147 cases were included in the analysis, and the propensity scoring technique was used to equate the groups. Among children admitted to the Manatee Model, boys, White children, younger children, those who came from a single-parent family, those who were abused, and those who had a disability (physical or emotional disability or medical condition) were found less likely to successfully exit within the two years when these predictors were examined separately. Multivariate analyses indicated that only age at the time of removal and health status were significantly associated with successful discharge. Implications of the findings are discussed.

A Two-Year Comparison of the Surface Water and Energy Budgets between Two OASIS Sites and NCEP–NCAR Reanalysis Data

Abstract Few surface-observation networks exist that provide comprehensive multiyear, multiseason observations of surface energy fluxes and subsurface soil moisture and temperature, combined with near-surface atmospheric data. More such networks are needed to validate, improve, and calibrate current global weather and climate models, including those used as the backbone or background models in global reanalysis. One such measurement system is the Oklahoma Mesonet–Oklahoma Atmospheric Surface-layer Instrumentation System (OASIS), which provides atmospheric, surface, and soil data in real time. This study compares 2 yr of surface energy and water budget data from two OASIS sites located in two distinct climate zones with NCEP–NCAR global reanalysis (GR) estimates. The intraseasonal hydrological and thermodynamic cycles are discussed. Results show generally good agreement between most reanalysis values and observations. Incoming and reflected shortwave radiation are largely overestimated by the GR, and incom...

The neurocognitive effects of low-dose haloperidol: a two-year comparison with risperidone

Background: Neurocognitive deficits are core features of schizophrenia that are linked to functional outcome for the disorder. Recent studies and reviews have concluded that newer antipsychotic medications are better for neurocognitive deficits than conventional antipsychotic medications; however, one difficulty in interpreting this literature is that the comparisons have mainly been with high doses of conventional medications. This study examined the neurocognitive effects of low-dose haloperidol compared with risperidone over a 2-year period. Methods: Sixty-two patients were randomly assigned to medication (starting at 6 mg of each medication) and administered neurocognitive batteries six times over the course of follow-up. At 6 months, the mean dose of haloperidol was 5.0 mg, and the mean dose of risperidone was 6.0 mg. Neurocognitive data were reduced into cluster scores and a global summary score. Results: We found no significant overall differences in treatment effects on the cluster scores or the global score. The global score revealed a significant group by time interaction, reflecting the fact that the haloperidol group tended to improve initially and then stay stable, whereas the risperidone group improved more gradually over the follow-up period. Conclusions: This study did not provide support for neurocognitive advantages of a newer antipsychotic medication over a low-dose conventional medication. We speculate that conventional medications may have neurocognitive benefits at low doses that are neutralized or reversed at higher doses.

Assessment of tillage strategies to decrease nitrate leaching in the Brimstone Farm Experiment, Oxfordshire, UK

Tillage may influence nitrate losses from agricultural soils. Losses of nitrate were measured in drainflow at 60 cm depth and in combined surface runoff and interflow in the A horizon (=surface layer flow) on hydrologically sealed plots with a two-year comparison (1988–1990) of shallow-tine cultivation vs. mouldboard ploughing. Ploughing increased concentrations and loadings of nitrate in drainflow and surface layer flow, especially in the first year. After these two years the shallow-tined plots were ploughed to plant winter beans ( Vicia faba L.), and nitrate in drainflow then increased over the next three winters, slightly exceeding that from the plots which had been ploughed throughout for winter cereals. The composition of the surface layer flow did not show this effect, however. Calculations of net winter mineralisation of soil organic nitrogen showed that shallow-tine cultivation may have decreased mineralisation slightly compared with ploughing in the first two years. These calculations did not indicate any increase in mineralisation for two winters after the minimally cultivated plots were ploughed in autumn 1990, probably because the soil was then very dry. This increase was apparently delayed until the fifth winter (1992/1993), which was much wetter than any since autumn 1990. In the previous eight years (1980–1988) half of the plots had been ploughed and half had been direct drilled. Averaged over the five winters 1988/1989–1992/1993, the five measures of nitrate loss in drainflow from plots previously direct drilled were 6–57% more than from plots previously ploughed, and winter mineralisation was 20% more, with no evidence of any decline in either with time. The nitrate produced by mineralisation of organic matter conserved by the eight years of direct drilling was mainly lost by leaching or denitrification; it was of little or no benefit to the crops. The results suggest that in the long term more nitrate is leached from land subject to periods of minimal or zero tillage and ploughing than from land ploughed every year.

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

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.