Bank One's worksite-based asthma disease management program

Non-occupational asthma is a common disease affecting approximately 6% of t he US population. Asthma accounts for an estimated 3 million workdays lost each year in the United States and for reduced employee job productivity. A lthough asthma disease management programs are relatively common in managed care organizations, they generally have not been offered at the workplace. A total of 168 employees with asthma were identified, and 76 participated in a worksite asthma disease management program. Of them, 41 (53.9%) comple ted an Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (ATAQ) at baseline, post-pro gram (2 months), 4 months, and 12 months, The total A TAQ Index declined fr om 3.59 at baseline to 2. 76 at 12 months (p < 0.01). After the program sig nificantly more employees reported using controller medications (the desire d behavior) rather than reliever medications. A worksite-based disease mana gement program for asthma should reduce medical care costs and absenteeism and improve worker productivity.