A multi-worksite analysis of the relationships among body mass index, medical utilization, and worker productivity.

Background: The relationships between worker health and productivity are becoming clearer. However, few large scale studies have measured the direct and indirect cost burden of overweight and obesity among employees using actual biometric values. The objective of this study was to quantify the direct medical and indirect (absence and productivity) cost burden of overweight and obesity in workers.

Improved oxygen prescribing using a nurse-facilitated reminder.

Poor oxygen prescribing and administration is well documented despite junior doctor education and oxygen prescription charts. This prescribing behaviour can be harmful to patients. This study examines whether oxygen prescribing and the appropriateness of oxygen therapy would be increased by medical admissions unit (MAU) nurse education and a nurse-mediated reminder strategy to junior medical staff.

Women veterans and outcomes after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Previous studies have shown that women have decreased survival and receive fewer cardiac procedures after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) compared with men, raising concerns for sexual bias in provision of care. The objective of this study is to describe clinical characteristics, treatment, and survival in women veterans compared with men after admission to VA hospitals for AMI.

Methods: This is a retrospective inception cohort study using data drawn from the VA Cardiac Care Follow-up Clinical Study, describing patients admitted for AMI to VA hospitals from October 1, 2003 to March 31, 2005.

Using a personal health care cost calculator to estimate future expenditures based on individual health risks.

Objective: To describe the development and application of an innovative Health Improvement Cost Calculator tool designed to help individuals recognize the link between their current health risks, future medical costs, and productivity.

Methods: We describe how the Calculator was developed using data from studies that tie health care costs and productivity to population health risks, and how changes in risks are projected to reduce future spending for individual workers.

Results: Two simulations of the model illustrate how individuals may realize future economic costs or benefits depending on whether they maintain or change their health-risk profile.

First-year results of an obesity prevention program at The Dow Chemical Company.

Objective: To examine first-year results from a workplace environmental obesity prevention program at The Dow Chemical Company.

Methods: A quasi-experimental cohort study was conducted among employees at nine treatment worksites (n = 8013) who received environmental weight management interventions and three control worksites (n = 2269). Changes in employees' weight, body mass index (BMI), and other health risks were examined using chi2 and t-tests.

Using a return-on-investment estimation model to evaluate outcomes from an obesity management worksite health promotion program.

Objective: Certain modifiable risk factors lead to higher health care costs and reduced worker productivity. A predictive return-on-investment (ROI) model was applied to an obesity management intervention to demonstrate the use of econometric modeling in establishing financial justification for worksite health promotion.

Methods: Self-reported risk factors (n = 890) were analyzed using chi2 and t test methods.

Differences in safety climate between hospital personnel and naval aviators.

We compared results of safety climate survey questions from health care respondents with those from naval aviation, a high-reliability organization. Separate surveys containing a subset of 23 similar questions were conducted among employees from 15 hospitals and from naval aviators from 226 squadrons. For each question a "problematic response" was defined that suggested an absence of a safety climate.