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A 60-month period of a ten-year worksite health promotion program (WSHP) at the Headquarters, Army Materiel Command (AMC) was evaluated for impact on health risk, absenteeism, productivity, and health care costs. This study was a continuation of a 44-month WSHP evaluation beginning in September 1985. During the more recent evaluation period, 857 new participants entered the program. Consistent with the earlier evaluation, interventions in the present study included the same combination of physical fitness, and health education offerings. Interventions encompassed aerobic and strength training, as well as classes focusing on smoking cessation, weight control, and stress management.

Participants were given a comprehensive health risk screening at program entry and were similarly retested at 12 month intervals. Additionally, absenteeism, productivity, and health care claims were examined for changes associated with program participation. Hypotheses encompassed improvements in each of four dependent measures including reductions in health risk, absenteeism, and health claims, as well as an increase in productivity. Further, it was expected that the amount of dependent measure improvement would be directly proportional to the amount of time spent participating. Not only were these experimental hypotheses supported, but results also corroborated findings from the previous AMC evaluation. These results clearly exhibit significant benefits to both individual participants and the AMC organization.

Hypothesized as being the most important change in stimulating collateral benefits significant health risk reduction was noted among participants. Participants improved their level of fitness and exhibited reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, as well as the more general index of health risk called Health Age. Participants also demonstrated a significant reduction in sick leave. During the five years of data collection, participants reduced their sick leave by l0%. Self-report of productivity increased by 11% for participants. Further participants also reported a 32% increase in personal satisfaction. Another positive finding was detected in analyzing five years of health claims data. Participant health claims expenditures increased at a rate of 26%, significantly less than the 100% increase for the national average.

The positive results stated here extend each of the positive findings reported in the earlier AMC study. Additionally, few wellness programs have been in continuous operation for ten-year period comparable to this one. Even fewer programs have maintained an evaluation component and have been able to demonstrate such a broad scope of positive outcomes.

Other yearly updates:

• 1996 Report
• 1989 Report

You can get more information on this study by sending e-mail to NCHF.