260226 Personal health management programs: A way to improve health outcomes

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Nizar K. Wehbi, MD, MPH, MBA , Health Services Research & Administration, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
James Canedy, MD , Orthopedic Surgery, The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Introduction: SimplyWell® offers personalized health management programs based on a health risk questionnaire and a health screening activity. The health risk questionnaire is computer-based and consists of 75 questions covering demographic data, medical and family history, physical activity and eating practices. The questionnaire is offered in English and Spanish and is accessed through an individual private and secured electronic account. For the Health Screening day, participants are asked to arrive fasting. Height, weight, blood pressure and heart rate are measured and blood is withdrawn for a full blood analysis (glucose, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides). Within 24 hours, participants can access their account and review their results. A Personal Wellness Profile™ score and a customized individual action plan are generated for each participant to improve their health status with a nurse phone follow-up. Methods/Analysis: To examine the effect of repeated participation in wellness programs on health status, a sample of (N=248) who have participated in the program for five consecutive years was selected from a total of 4,880 eligible employees in one of the participating organizations (an academic medical center). Using paired t-test, health scores, biometrics and self-reported data from year 1 and year 5 were analyzed. Results: Five-year consecutive participation resulted in significant (p<0.03) improvements in diastolic BP, hemoglobin, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and glucose levels. There was also a (non-significant) improvement in triglycerides levels, BMI, doctor's visits, and sick days. Conclusion: Repeated intervention may have a positive effect on the health status of personal health management programs participants.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice

Learning Objectives:
Assess the effectiveness of personal health management programs in improving the health status of participants. Discuss the significance of wellness programs in changing personal behaviors.

Keywords: Wellness, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal investigator on a study to evaluate and assess wellness programs and personal health management programs in improving the health status of participants.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.