Two Year Evaluation of a Public-Private Partnership for a Health Promotion Program at the Workplace

A growing body of literature indicates that workplace health promotion programs can have a positive impact on both health risk reduction and financial outcomes for employers. Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Thomson Healthcare and the Institute for Health and Productivity Studies at Emory University evaluated the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (NYC DOHMH) Wellness at Work Program, supporting area employers in their efforts to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based health promotion programs. Using a quasi-experimental approach, 27 sites from ten NYC public and private sector organizations were randomized into one of two treatment conditions: “high-intensity” and “moderate intensity.” Thirteen health risk factors (e.g., poor nutrition, smoking) weight-related outcomes measures (e.g., BMI, physical activity, nutrition) and financial outcomes (healthcare utilization, absenteeism, presenteeism) were analyzed for changes from 2005 to 2007 within and between treatment groups using a difference-in-difference approach and a GEE model that controls for confounding. Results show health risk reductions at all sites, especially “high-intensity” sites, but the differences between the treatments were not statistically significant. Results of financial outcomes demonstrate savings for all sites, but no significant differences were found between the two treatment conditions. Lack of significant findings between treatment conditions could be due to the relatively small cohort tracked over time and the short intervention period (two years). Nonetheless, these analyses demonstrate how private-public partnerships can lead to employee health risk reduction and financial savings for employers.