Healthcare utilization and costs following molecular diagnostic testing among patients with vaginitis.

Vaginitis and other vaginal discharge syndromes lead to high healthcare utilization. Molecular tests like syndromic multiplex real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based tests are highly sensitive and specific at diagnosing the infectious causes of vaginitis. This study compared the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and direct all-cause healthcare costs among patients with vaginitis in the US receiving next-day syndromic multiplex RT-PCR tests with those receiving other PCR tests or no diagnostic test of interest.

Utilization of Syndromic Vaginitis Diagnostic Testing Reduces 6-Month Follow-Up Outpatient Service Healthcare Costs-A Real-World Data Analysis.

Background/objectives: Vaginitis is a common infection among women of reproductive age. Although various diagnostic methodologies exist, diagnosis without the utilization of available diagnostic tests remains prevalent. This study aimed to assess downstream healthcare utilization and the cost of patients with and without diagnostic testing.

Clinical and economic outcomes of a pharmacogenomics-enriched comprehensive medication management program in a self-insured employee population.

Clinical and economic outcomes from a pharmacogenomics-enriched comprehensive medication management program were evaluated over 26 months in a self-insured U.S. employee population (n = 452 participants; n = 1500 controls) using propensity matched pre-post design with adjusted negative binomial and linear regression models.

A population health approach to workplace mental health: rationale, implementation and engagement.

Objectives: To describe a population health-based program to support employee and dependent mental health and learn from engagement trends.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of a program utilizing an assessment of mental health risk. For scoring "at risk," a Care Concierge is offered to connect users with resources.

Assessing the impact of a comprehensive mental health program on frontline health service workers.

Mental health issues are a growing concern in the workplace, linked to negative outcomes including reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and increased turnover. Employer-sponsored mental health benefits that are accessible and proactive may help address these concerns. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the impact of a digital mental health benefit (Spring Health) on frontline healthcare service workers' clinical and workplace outcomes.

Cardiometabolic Risk Increased in Working-Aged Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Public health measures necessary to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted lifestyles and health practices. This multiyear cohort analysis of U.S.

Prediction of Future Medical Costs by Modifiable Measures of Health.

Introduction: Strategies to mitigate rising health-care costs are a priority for patients, employers, and health insurers. Yet gaps currently exist in whether health risk assessment can forecast medical claims costs. This study examined the ability of a health quotient (HQ) based on modifiable risk factors, age, sex, and chronic conditions to predict future medical claims spending.

Role of Pharmacogenomics in Comprehensive Medication Management: Considerations for Employers.

Rising prescription costs, poor medication adherence, and safety issues pose persistent challenges to employer-sponsored health care plans and their beneficiaries. Comprehensive medication management (CMM), a patient-centered approach to medication optimization, enriched by pharmacogenomics (PGx), has been shown to improve the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical regimens. This has contributed to improved health care outcomes, reduced costs of treatments, better adherence, shorter durations of treatment, and fewer adverse effects from drug therapy.

Facilitating Mental Health Treatment Through Proactive Screening and Concierge Services in the Workplace.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine if a proactive employer-sponsored mental health program closed gaps in detection and treatment of mental health conditions.

Methods: Of n = 56,442 eligible, n = 8170 (14.5%) participated in the optional screening.

Early Insights From a Pharmacogenomic-Enriched Comprehensive Medication Management Program Implementation in an Adult Employee Population.

Objectives: The aims of the study are to assess adoption of a pharmacogenomic-enriched comprehensive medication management program in a self-insured employer setting and to better understand medication risks that affect employees.

Methods: Employees were identified to be at high risk of medication mismanagement and were subsequently provided with a program and process to improve their health. DNA testing, a clinical decision support system, and pharmacists were used to identify medication safety and effectiveness issues and to recommend appropriate changes.

Workplace Outreach Program Improves Management of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective: Assess whether an employee outreach program improved management of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Participants with suspected CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m 2 ) identified in employee health assessments in 2017 and 2018 were contacted by phone and offered physician consultation.

Radiotherapy before or during androgen-deprivation therapy does not blunt the exercise-induced body composition protective effects in prostate cancer patients: A secondary analysis of two randomized controlled trials.

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) contributes to lean mass loss and adiposity increases in prostate cancer patients. Radiotherapy during ADT might act synergistically and further worsen body composition. Previous investigations have shown that resistance training is an effective method of preserving body composition during ADT, however, most have not accounted for direct or indirect effects of other therapies, such as radiotherapy.

Model for Mitigation of Workplace Transmission of COVID-19 Through Population-Based Testing and Surveillance.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having a widespread impact on societies across the globe. As part of the effort to control transmission in the United States, many businesses either closed or instituted nonpharmaceutical control measures and allowed only essential workers on-site. During summer and fall of 2020, employers began formulating "return to work" strategies designed to mitigate the risk of transmission among employees.

Workplace Mental Health: Application of a Population Health Approach of Proactive Screening to Identify Risk and Engage in Care.

Objective: To evaluate a proactive, voluntary screening program designed to identify employees with emerging mental health risk and engage them in care.

Methods: Risk was proactively identified through online screening of 344 participants. At-risk participants were offered a mental health care concierge to provide support, develop a care plan, and connect to care.

Return to Work: Managing Employee Population Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has abruptly transformed the outlook of employer health benefits plans for 2020 and 2021. Containing the spread of the virus and facilitating care of those infected have quickly emerged as immediate priorities. Employers have adjusted health benefits coverage to make COVID-19 testing and treatment accessible and remove barriers to care in order to facilitate the containment of the disease.

Impact of a Digital Diabetes Prevention Program on Risk Factors for Chronic Disease in a Workforce Cohort.

Objective: Evaluate the effect of a digital Diabetes Prevention Program (dDPP) on chronic disease risk factors in a workplace population.

Methods: dDPP participants were employees and spouses with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m and prediabetes or diabetes (n = 84). Annual change in risk factors before and after dDPP were assessed in the dDPP group and in a retrospectively identified matched control group drawn from those who participated in a dDPP after the conclusion of this study (n = 252).

Growth Hormone(s), Testosterone, Insulin-Like Growth Factors, and Cortisol: Roles and Integration for Cellular Development and Growth With Exercise.

Hormones are largely responsible for the integrated communication of several physiological systems responsible for modulating cellular growth and development. Although the specific hormonal influence must be considered within the context of the entire endocrine system and its relationship with other physiological systems, three key hormones are considered the "anabolic giants" in cellular growth and repair: testosterone, the growth hormone superfamily, and the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) superfamily. In addition to these anabolic hormones, glucocorticoids, mainly cortisol must also be considered because of their profound opposing influence on human skeletal muscle anabolism in many instances.

Population health screenings for the prevention of chronic disease progression.

Objectives: Early detection of disease enables prompt treatment that can prevent disease progression and costly health outcomes. We report incidence of previously unrecognized disease and investigate the expected effect of early detection and care on health outcomes.

Study Design: Population health study based on laboratory evidence.

Resistance Training for Older Adults: Position Statement From the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Fragala, MS, Cadore, EL, Dorgo, S, Izquierdo, M, Kraemer, WJ, Peterson, MD, and Ryan, ED. Resistance training for older adults: position statement from the national strength and conditioning association. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2019-2052, 2019-Aging, even in the absence of chronic disease, is associated with a variety of biological changes that can contribute to decreases in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function.

Self-Insured Employer Health Benefits Strategy Established a Negative Cost Trend While Improving Performance.

This case study describes the collaboration between a self-insured employee benefits team and a national health insurance provider to control costs while maintaining program quality and promoting population health. In 2015, Quest Diagnostics well exceeded the full-year expense target for their ∼60,000-life Group Health Insurance (GHI) program. Through proactive changes, physician executive leadership, health plan collaboration, disease-specific population health initiatives, and plan design, Quest GHI annual employer health care cost trend subsequently improved from a year-over-year trend of 5.