Changes in health risks among the participants in the United Auto Workers-General Motors LifeSteps Health Promotion Program

Purpose. To examine health risk changes among participants of a multicompon ent worksite health promotion program Design. A study using health risk changes among health risk appraisal (HRA) participants linked to program participation records. Baseline risk and pa rticipation in multiple programs were examined in relation to risk change i n multivariate models. Setting. Worksite health promotion programming sponsored by the United Auto Workers (UAW) and General Motors (GM). Subjects. Active employees (12,984) who voluntarily participated in an HRA in each of two Program years. Intervention. The nationwide program was a mailed HRA and a 1-800 nurse lin e. A pilot program (implemented in two cities) added screening, wellness pr ograms, a materials resource, and, for high Ask participants, health coachi ng and vouchers for medical office visits. Measures. Using 13 selected health risk factors from the HRA, changes in ov erall health risks were measured as program outcomes in three ways: one-dir ectional, net, and risk status change. Results. A greater decrease in the number of health risks was observed with increased program participation. The decrease was significantly related to the number of baseline risk factors and eligibility for high risk programs . Associated with program participation, the number of people, at low risk status increased from 70.1% to 71.3% at year 2 among nationwide participant s and from 52.4% to 58.9% among pilot Participants. Conclusions. Participation was associated with a significant impact on heal th risk. Baseline risk of participants and eligibility fin, high risk progr ams were necessary factors to control when measuring program effects on hea lth risk changes.