Long-term impact of Johnson & Johnson's Health & Wellness Program on health care utilization and expenditures

J Occup Environ Med. 2002 Jan;44(1):21-9. doi: 10.1097/00043764-200201000-00005.

Abstract

The long-term impact of corporate health and wellness programs is largely unknown, because most evaluations focus on impact in just 1 or 2 years after program initiation. This project estimated the longer-term impact of the Johnson & Johnson Health & Wellness Program on medical care utilization and expenditures. Employees were followed for up to 5 years before and 4 years after Program implementation. Fixed-effects regression models were used to control for measurable and unmeasurable factors that may influence utilization and expenditures. Results indicated a large reduction in medical care expenditures (approximately $224.66 per employee per year) over the 4-year Program period. These benefits came from reduced inpatient use, fewer mental health visits, and fewer outpatient visits compared with the baseline period. Most benefits occurred in years 3 and 4 after Program initiation. We conclude that programs designed to better integrate occupational health, disability, wellness, and medical benefits may have substantial health and economic benefits in later years.

MeSH terms

  • Health Expenditures
  • Health Promotion / economics*
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Occupational Health Services / economics*
  • Occupational Health Services / organization & administration
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Primary Prevention / economics*
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Regression Analysis
  • United States
  • Utilization Review / economics*