The Experts below are selected from a list of 11607 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Wei Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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work productivity losses and associated risk factors among university employees in the cammpus Wellness Program
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2020Co-Authors: Wei Zhang, Barbara Gobis, Peter J Zed, Larry D LyndAbstract:Objective:The aim of this study was to comprehensively measure work productivity losses of employees enrolled in a pharmacist-led Wellness Program and assess associated risk factors.Methods:The study sample was employees at least 18 years old with a Framingham Risk Score (FRS) at least 10% or 1+ med
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factors associated with participation in a university worksite Wellness Program
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2016Co-Authors: Angela J Beck, Richard A Hirth, Kristi Rahrig Jenkins, Kathryn K Sleeman, Wei ZhangAbstract:Introduction Healthcare reform legislation encourages employers to implement worksite Wellness activities as a way to reduce rising employer healthcare costs. Strategies for increasing Program participation is of interest to employers, though few studies characterizing participation exist in the literature. The University of Michigan conducted a 5-year evaluation of its worksite Wellness Program, MHealthy, in 2014. MHealthy elements include Health Risk Assessment, biometric screening, a physical activity tracking Program (ActiveU), Wellness activities, and participation incentives. Methods Individual-level data were obtained for a cohort of 20,237 employees who were continuously employed by the university all 5 years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the independent predictive power of characteristics associated with participation in the Health Risk Assessment, ActiveU, and incentive receipt, including employee and job characteristics, as well as baseline (2008) healthcare spending and health diagnoses obtained from claims data. Data were collected from 2008 to 2013; analyses were conducted in 2014. Results Approximately half of eligible employees were MHealthy participants. A consistent profile emerged for Health Risk Assessment and ActiveU participation and incentive receipt with female, white, non-union staff and employees who seek preventive care among the most likely to participate in MHealthy. Conclusions This study helps characterize employees who choose to engage in worksite Wellness Programs. Such information could be used to better target outreach and Program content and reduce structural barriers to participation. Future studies could consider additional job characteristics, such as job type and employee attitudinal variables regarding health status and Wellness Program effectiveness.
Elizabeth A Jackson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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physiological and lifestyle factors associated with abnormal blood pressure in adolescents before and after a school based Wellness Program in michigan a report from project healthy schools
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2020Co-Authors: Sabrina Bernardo, Eva Klinerogers, Kim A Eagle, Rachel Krallman, Daniel G Montgomery, Ashley M Brown, Jean Durusselweston, Elizabeth A JacksonAbstract:Abstract Purpose Hypertension (HTN) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and unhealthy lifestyles in adults. However, data on both physiological and lifestyle factors associated with abnormal blood pressure (BP) in adolescents, as well as the effectiveness of interventions in improving these factors among adolescents with abnormal BP, is scarce. Methods Students enrolled in a middle-school-based Wellness Program, Project Healthy Schools (PHS), between 2005–2016 were eligible. Three systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP measurements were taken pre-PHS and post-PHS; averages of the final two were analyzed. Students were grouped by baseline BP: abnormal BP (≥90th percentile for SBP and/or DBP, or ≥120/80 mmHg) or normal BP ( Results Of 2,865 students, 812 (28.3%) had abnormal BP. Median SBP was 119 mmHg in abnormal BP students and 103 mmHg in normal BP students (p Conclusions Abnormal BP was prevalent and associated with worse cardiometabolic health parameters and behaviors at baseline. Abnormal BP students demonstrated significant improvements in BP post-PHS, suggesting school-based Programs may be effective as nonpharmacological lifestyle interventions in this population.
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abstract 144b racial differences in physiological and behavioral response to school based Wellness Program
Circulation-cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 2012Co-Authors: Taylor Jamerson, Roopa Gurm, Cydni A Smith, Nicole Corriveau, Eva Klinerogers, Kim A Eagle, Elizabeth A JacksonAbstract:Background: Racial differences in cardiovascular (CV) risk factors have been shown to exist in children. However, much of this data was obtained decades ago in a rural cohort of children in Bogalusa, LA. Given the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, we sought to examine CV risk factors in black and non-black 6 th grade students prior to and seven months after implementation of a school-based Wellness Program targeting both inner city and suburban children in Southeast Michigan. Methods: Data from 1,979 middle-school students enrolled in Project Healthy Schools (PHS) were used to compare health behaviors and physiologic markers including lipids, blood pressure (BP), and BMI. PHS is designed to promote physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, decrease consumption of fast/fatty foods and leisure screen time and encourage healthier beverage choices. Pre/post assessments included surveys of diet and physical activity. A Mann-Whitney, non-parametric test was used to compare the differences. Results: Among the 1,979, 504 (25.5%) were black. At baseline, % overweight/obese was significantly different between blacks and non-blacks (39.9% vs. 33.0%, p=0.003. Blacks had poorer diets and were less active than non-blacks (p Conclusion: Black 6 th grade students show higher rates of obesity, poor dietary habits, and less physical activity at baseline. This data suggests that school-based Wellness Programs such as PHS can improve dietary, physical behavior and cholesterol profile. Early intervention for risk factor modification is not only possible but may be of great importance to the prevention of CV disease in adults, particularly in high risk groups like blacks.
Ray M. Merrill - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Medical cost analysis of a school district worksite Wellness Program.
Preventive medicine reports, 2016Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, James D. LecheminantAbstract:Objective: To evaluate whether participation in a worksite Wellness Program differs by age and sex and is associated with frequency and average cost of medical claims. Methods: Healthcare cost data were available for school district employees during the academic years ending in 2009 through 2014. The Wellness Program was available in the later 3 years. The frequency and the average cost of medical claims were compared between the 3 years prior to and the 3 years during the Wellness Program. Results: Wellness Program participation increased from 65.6% 2011–2012 to 79.7% 2012–2013. The increase occurred within age-groups and for males and females. The average age of Program participants was significantly lower in 2011–2012 (48.2 vs. 49.4, p = 0.0099), but similar in the next 2 academic years. Participation in at least one behavior change campaign in each year was 52.1%, 53.7%, and 73.7% of all Wellness Program participants, respectively. Female employees were significantly more likely to complete one or more behavior change campaigns in each year of the Wellness Program (p
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effectiveness of a workplace Wellness Program for maintaining health and promoting healthy behaviors
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2011Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, Steven G Aldana, Judy Garrett, Chip RossAbstract:This study assessed the effectiveness of a worksite Wellness Program. A within-group study design was conducted. Assessment was based on 3737 continuously employed workers at a large agribusiness during 2007-2009. More than 80% of employees participated in the Program, with a higher percentage of women participating. Clinically significant improvements occurred in those who were underweight, those with high systolic or diastolic blood pressure, high total cholesterol, high low-density lipoprotein, low high-density lipoprotein, high triglycerides, and high glucose. Among obese employee participants, significant improvements occurred in selected mental health and dietary variables. Among those who lowered their BMI, significant decrease occurred in fat intake, and significant increase resulted in weekly aerobic exercise and feelings of calmness and peace, happiness, ability to cope with stress, and more physical energy.
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longitudinal outcomes of a comprehensive incentivized worksite Wellness Program
Evaluation & the Health Professions, 2011Co-Authors: Beverly Hyatt Neville, Ray M. Merrill, Karol L KumpferAbstract:This study evaluated health benefits of long-term participation in an employer-based Wellness Program, focusing on selected chronic disease risk factors. A repeated measures longitudinal time-series study was conducted of 8 years of existing prospectively collected annual data, including clinical measures of weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and body fat percent. Participants were divided into their risk levels at baseline. Outcomes were compared to level of participation, for which annual points earned was a surrogate. Participants had lower increases in body mass index (BMI) than the general population had during the same time period. Greatest improvements in BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol were seen in those at highest risk levels at baseline and in those whose physical activity increased over time. It was found that long-term participation in this Program improved BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Most benefits
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Effectiveness of a worksite Wellness Program on health behaviors and personal health.
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 2011Co-Authors: Ray M. Merrill, Allison E. Anderson, Steven M. ThygersonAbstract:Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a worksite Wellness Program at improving health behavior and personal health. Methods Analyses are based on 472 (71% men and 29% women) workers employed in 2009 through 2010. Results Participants showed significant improvement in frequency of exercise, consumption of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, restful sleep, and seat belt use. Life satisfaction and perceived health also significantly increased, but job satisfaction significantly decreased and there was no change in smoking or body mass index. In addition, the percentage with borderline/high blood pressure significantly decreased. Conclusions Participation in well-structured worksite Wellness Programs, such as the one evaluated in this study, may increase health and life satisfaction for employees. This type of Wellness Program appears to help employees develop and maintain healthy behaviors.
Breanna Balaton - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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anesthesiology resident Wellness Program at the university of saskatchewan concept and development
Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia-journal Canadien D Anesthesie, 2017Co-Authors: Anita Chakravarti, Mateen Raazi, Jennifer Obrien, Breanna BalatonAbstract:Purpose We describe the need for an anesthesiology resident Wellness Program (ARWP) and the challenges associated with its development and implementation. We also present the results of a preliminary Program evaluation.
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anesthesiology resident Wellness Program at the university of saskatchewan curriculum content and delivery
Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia-journal Canadien D Anesthesie, 2017Co-Authors: Anita Chakravarti, Mateen Raazi, Jennifer Obrien, Breanna BalatonAbstract:Resident and physician health are increasingly recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and its CanMEDS framework as integral to residency training in Canada. Resident stress, burnout, and depression also have implications for patient care. Although curricula have been advocated to promote resident Wellness and resilience, no such published curricula exist to guide Programs in addressing these needs. The purpose of this article is to describe the curriculum content and delivery of the Anesthesiology Residency Wellness Program (ARWP) at the University of Saskatchewan. The ARWP curriculum is comprised of four components: modular curriculum, peer support curriculum, self-directed learning activities, department Wellness Program. The Program matrix illustrates the mission, target population, inputs, outputs, and outcomes of the ARWP. Content and suggestions for delivery of the eight curricular modules are detailed. The described ARWP is a novel innovation in Canadian postgraduate medical education. We believe this ARWP is the first comprehensive, formalized, actualized Program in Canada. It also provides a guide and a helpful resource for further development of resident Wellness Programs by other disciplines in Canada and internationally.
Anne N Thorndike - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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workplace Wellness Program and short term changes in health care expenditures
Preventive medicine reports, 2019Co-Authors: Douglas E Levy, Anne N ThorndikeAbstract:Abstract Workplace Wellness Programs are commonly offered by employers with the expectation that they will reduce health care costs. We previously reported that Be Fit, a 10-week Wellness Program offered to employees of a large teaching hospital and geared towards improving nutrition and physical activity, led to improvements in weight, serum cholesterol, and blood pressure at Program completion and 1-year follow-up. In the present study we assessed whether Be Fit participation was associated with reduced health expenditures by employing a difference-in-differences analysis of claims data for 289 employees who participated in Be Fit between 2010 and 2014 and 194 controls from the same parent company matched on sex, age, health risk score, and baseline health expenditures. We compared changes in expenditures from the year prior to Be Fit participation to the year after initiating participation. We did not observe any inflection in health care expenditures at the time of Be Fit participation for participants or matched controls. After adjusting for matching characteristics, changes in quarterly health expenditures were $236 lower for participants compared to controls (95% CI −$640 to $168). We similarly found no evidence of reduced health expenditures when expenditures were capped at the 99th percentile (excluding the impact of outliers) or limited to expenditures for cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Despite improvements in clinical risk factors, we find no evidence that Be Fit was associated with reduced health expenditures over 1-year follow-up. Reducing health expenditures may require a longer time horizon and Programs targeting a broader set of risk factors.
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abstract p154 short term health care expenditures increase after workplace Wellness Program
Circulation, 2017Co-Authors: Douglas E Levy, S P Regan, Anne N ThorndikeAbstract:Introduction: A major goal of workplace Wellness Programs is to improve employee health and lower health care costs. Research on Wellness Program effectiveness is often limited by either a lack of ...
