'Culture of Health' Project Lowers Employee Health Costs

Program Successfully 'Bends Cost Curve' at PPG Industries, Study Reports

Newswise — PHILADELPHIA, PA — A comprehensive program focusing on "growing a culture of health" has led to a reduction in employee health costs at PPG Industries, according to a study in the May Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Ron Z. Goetzel, PhD, of Truven Health Analytics, Bethesda, Md., evaluated six-year health care cost trends at PPG, after implementation of a "culture of health" model. The companywide program "aim[ed] to inspire employees to become actively involved in their health improvement by having the organization adopt policies and environmental supports for achieving positive health behaviors." Prevention and modification of risk factors for cardiovascular disease was a key emphasis.

Adjusted for inflation, the program was associated with a significant three percent reduction in overall medical costs. The reduction was greatest for inpatient (hospital) costs, nearly four percent; but was also significant for outpatient costs, about two percent. Costs specific to coronary artery disease and high blood pressure (hypertension) decreased by more than ten percent.

Comparison of different PPG worksites showed greater cost savings at sites with higher scores for implementation of the culture of health approach and for leadership support of the program. Annual reduction in costs was four percent at sites scoring high on both measures, compared to about two percent at other sites.

The reductions—occurring at a time of rising health care costs nationwide—suggested that the culture of health model allowed PPG to achieve the long-pursued goal of "bending the curve" of rising employee health costs. Dr Goetzel and coauthors conclude, "The company's efforts at reducing barriers to healthy lifestyles and its providing of health benefits that support preventive practices appear to be paying off in terms of reduced medical insurance costs."

About the Author Dr Goetzel may be contacted for interviews at [email protected]

About ACOEMACOEM (www.acoem.org), an international society of 4,500 occupational physicians and other health care professionals, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.

About Journal of Occupational and Environmental MedicineThe Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (www.joem.org) is the official journal of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Edited to serve as a guide for physicians, nurses, and researchers, the clinically oriented research articles are an excellent source for new ideas, concepts, techniques, and procedures that can be readily applied in the industrial or commercial employment setting.