THE COSTS AND EFFECTS OF A NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION-PROGRAM FOLLOWING WORK-SITE CHOLESTEROL SCREENING

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to assess the costs and impa ct of a nutrition education program following a cholesterol screening. Methods. Forty work-sites were randomly assigned to one of two educat ional interventions: a ''usual'' intervention of 5 minutes of counseli ng, or a ''special'' intervention of 2 hours of behaviorally based edu cation on dietary changes to lower serum cholesterol. Costs were monit ored, and cholesterol levels were retested 5 and 12 months later. Resu lts. The total per-person cost for screening and the educational inter vention was about $50. Cholesterol levels differed little between the two intervention groups 6 months after screening, but after 12 months those in the special intervention worksites showed a 6.5% drop in chol esterol, whereas those at the usual intervention worksites showed a dr op of only 3.0%. Hence a 3.5% cholesterol reduction was attributable t o the special intervention. Conclusions. A behaviorally based nutritio n education program following cholesterol screening can have a meaning ful impact on longterm cholesterol levels at a low cost. Nutrition edu cation in work-sites may therefore be a useful way to lower the risk o f heart disease in communities.