Implementation, support critical for workplace health programs: study

Elk Grove Village, IL – Worksite health programs must be well-implemented and have strong management support to be effective in reducing health care costs, indicates a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (Vol. 52, No. 12).

According to a study abstract, researchers analyzed health programs and employee health care costs from 37 worksites operated by Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries. Their findings showed that worksites with either high scores for implementation or management support – but not both – had health care costs that actually increased an average of $940 to $1,400 per employee, per year. Yet, at sites with high scores for both implementation and management support, health care costs decreased an average of $1,900 per employee, per year. This suggests an “interaction effect” between the two qualities, according to researchers.