(1). Aldana S, Barlow M, Smith R, Yanowitz F, Adams T, Loveday L, et al. “A Worksite Diabetes prevention Program: Two-Year Impact on Employee Health,” AAOHN J. 2006; 54(9):389-395. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17001837.

The impact of a 2-year worksite version of the Diabetes prevention Program implemented at BD Medical was examined. The program incorporated physical activity, dietary changes, and emotional and group support in an effort to improve employee health and productivity. Weight, BMI, waist circumference, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance testing, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs), triglycerides, and aerobic fitness were significantly improved at 6 and 12 months. Across the entire period, baseline to 24 months, a significant decline in glucose was found.
Peer-reviewed
Keywords: diabetes; worksite; employee productivity; blood glucose

(2). Chung M, Melnyk P, Blue D, Renaud D, Breton M. “Worksite Health Promotion: The Value of the Tune Up Your Heart Program,” Population Health Management. 2009; 12(6):297-304.http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/pop.2008.0044.

This study examined successful wellness initiatives at DaimlerChrysler Canada Incorporated (DCCI) that led to implementation of a program aimed at improving workforce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Volunteers were screened and stratified according to their CVD risk. Intervention participants demonstrated a significant relative CVD risk reduction, weight loss, decrease in average BMI, significant decrease in blood pressure, increased adherence to recommended exercise and diet regimens, and decrease in smoking. Annual savings were estimated at Can$793 for the intervention group and Can$18,461 when projected to the entire workforce.
Peer-reviewed
Keywords: cardiovascular disease; CVD risk; worksite; wellness; health promotion

(3). Gemson DH, Commisso R, Fuente J, Newman J, Benson S. “Promoting Weight Loss and Blood Pressure Control at Work: Impact of an Education and Intervention Program,” J Occup Environ Med. 2008; 50(3):272-281.http://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2008/03000/Promoting_
Weight_Loss_and_Blood_Pressure_Control.5.aspx.

The research objective was to assess the impact of a tailored intervention on body mass index and blood pressure (BP) among hypertensive Merrill Lynch employees participating in an employer-based BP screening program. The experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in BMI and systolic BP vs. control group. Furthermore, 38.3% of the experimental group reported undertaking vigorous physical activity (>=3x/wk) at 1-year; a 100% increase compared with baseline.
Peer-reviewed
Keywords: hypertension; worksite; screening

(4). Short ME, Goetzel RZ, Young JS, Kowlessar NM, Liss-Levinson RC, Tabrizi MJ, et al. “Measuring Changes in Lipid and Blood Glucose Values in the Health and Wellness Program of Prudential Financial, Inc.,” J Occup Environ Med. 2010; 52(8):797-806. http://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2010/08000/Measuring_
Changes_in_Lipid_and_Blood_Glucose.4.aspx.

The study objective was to determine the effect of health promotion programs of Prudential Financial, Inc. on biometric measures of blood lipids and glucose. This article focuses on three areas of interest to employers: the extent to which self-reports of biometric health risk correspond to actual laboratory values; the correlation between regular use of a company fitness center and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels; and the extent to which participation in a company-sponsored disease management program improves biometric values. The study found significant differences in self-reported and measured total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein values, although these differences and those for all lipid and blood glucose values were not clinically meaningful. Supporting previous clinical studies, high-density lipoprotein values were significantly higher for fitness center users compared with sedentary employees. Finally, disease management participants showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein during a 3-year period compared with nonparticipants.
Peer-reviewed
Keywords: health promotion; biometric; health risk; blood glucose; wellness program

(5).White K, Jacques PH. “Combined Diet and Exercise Intervention in the Workplace: Effect on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors,” AAOHN J. 2007; 55(3):109-114. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17001837.

This objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a 12-week pilot employee wellness program in reducing risk factors for coronary heart disease. The intervention included dietary changes, exercise regimens, participation in a minimum of four 1-hour workshops in 3 months, and a log of daily food servings and minutes of exercise. Significant differences were observed between pre-and post-intervention measurements of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ration, triglycerides, and weight. Sixty-two percent of those completing the program lost weight, for a total of 102 pounds, or an average of 6.4 pounds each. Significant improvements were not seen for blood sugar or blood pressure. A correlation existed between participation in the diet aspect of the program and changed in LDL cholesterol levels.
Peer-reviewed
Keywords: employee wellness program; cardiovascular disease; coronary heart disease; worksite; exercise

(6). Guide to Community Preventive Services. “Interventions to promote seasonal influenza vaccinations among non-healthcare workers,” www.thecommunityguide.org/worksite/flunon-hcw.html.

The taskforce on Community Preventive Services reviewed six studies that offered onsite, free, actively promoted influenza vaccinations to examine changes in both vaccination coverage as well as workerproductivity. The Task force found that the interventions studied improved vaccination coverage for the population between 21-38 percent.
Web site
Keywords: health care workers; vaccinations; productivity