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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Susan Hughes, DSW¹, Rachel Seymour, PhD², Rosemary K. Sokas, MD, MOH, MSc³, Deborah G. Dobrez, PhD⁴, Meagan M. Grant, MPH¹, Julie D. Tenner, MPH, RD¹, and Karumah Cosey, BA¹. (1) Center for Research on Health and Aging, University of Illinois Chicago, 1747 W. Roosevelt Rd, Room 558, Chicago, IL 60608, 312-996-1473, shughes@uic.edu, (2) Institute for Health Research and Policy, Center for Research on Health and Aging, 1747 W. Roosevelt Rd, Room 558, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, (3) Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Room 503, University of Illinois Chicago, School of Public Health, 2121 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612-7260, (4) Health Policy & Administration, University of Illinois Chicago, School of Public Health, 756 SPHPI, 1603 W Taylor St, 756 SPHPI, Chicago, IL 60612-4310

Little is known about the effectiveness of worksite wellness programs for older workers. We have been funded by CDC's national Health Protection Research Initiative to test the cost-effectiveness of two worksite health promotion interventions with support staff aged 50-59 at our University. We are using a randomized trial with two treatment groups and a control group. The first intervention (COACH) combines web-based risk assessments with personalized follow up and a negotiated action plan. The second intervention, RealAge, is similar but totally web-based. Prior to the trial we conducted focus groups to examine staff perceptions, use, and needs regarding health promotion. Staff reported needing help with physical activity, diet, smoking cessation, and depression or stress reduction. Seventy-three staff enrolled in a randomized three-month pilot of the main study. Approximately 84% were female, 79% were minority, and 49% reported at least one chronic condition. At three months positive movement on physical activity was seen in all three groups, with the strongest positive trend in the COACH group (55% active at baseline vs. 74% at 3 months, compared to 56% vs. 60% and 35% vs. 50% in the RealAge and control groups, respectively). Self-efficacy for chronic disease management, exercise, fat-related diet behavior, and weight loss stayed approximately constant. We are now recruiting 450 participants (150 per study group) for the full study to assess behaviors, and use and cost of health services at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Focus group, pilot, and baseline data on study participants and study methods will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the implications of findings for the dissemination of worksite health promotion programs targeting older adults.
• Describe the components, similarities, and differences of the two interventions.

Keywords: Worksite, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.ppt format, 105.0 kb)