 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Joseph Boffa, DDS MPH, Health Policy & Health Services Research, Boston University, 560 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, 617-638-4673, jboffa@bu.edu and Mark Schwager, MD, Internal Medicine, Roger Williams Medical Center, 825 Chalkstone Avenue, Providence, RI 02908.
HealthLink is a Wellness program that establishes a health promotion and early detection program for retirees in Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts. HealthLink members receive a periodic battery of medical screenings which include total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, high density lipoproteins and whether they are currently smokers. They also complete the SF-12 survey form. All retirees receive feedback and also a basic set of workshops dealing with wellness issues. Preliminary findings from the first year include baseline SF-12 form mental and physical health summary scores. Respondents were broken down into ages: 55-64; 65-74 and 75+. Physical Component scores are statistically below the national norm for the first two age categories. Age category means were 38.9, 40.7 and 38.7 respectively. In terms of the Mental Component score, HealthLink members at each age level consistently scored statistically below national norms. Their means scores were 48.2, 48.6 and 48.8. Summary of the medical screenings indicate that 61% of those screened exhibited elevated blood pressure, 26% elevated fasting blood glucose, 18% elevated total cholesterol and 16% with HDL levels below an ideal range. The medical screening results plus a retiree’s age and smoking status were used to calculate their risk of coronary heart disease. The risk factor calculations are statistically based on the Cox Proportional Hazards method as developed by the Framingham Heart Study. Based on this assesment, HealthLink screenings indicate that 35% of those screened can be classified at elevated risk for coronary heart disease. HealthLink analysts are currently establishing targeting priorities based on the SF-12 and risk factor results.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Health Promoters, Wellness
Related Web page: www.newenglandsenior.com
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.