Workplace health promotion and utilization of health services: follow-up data findings

J Behav Health Serv Res. 2005 Jul-Sep;32(3):306-19. doi: 10.1007/BF02291830.

Abstract

This article reports findings from a workplace substance abuse prevention program designed to investigate best practices. The study sought to assess the effects of the worksite wellness program and employee assistance program (EAP) on healthcare utilization and costs, identify predictors of outpatient costs and visits, and assess the effect of the intervention on health attitudes, behaviors, and behavioral health-related costs and visits. Results indicated that visits to the EAP increased as did overall healthcare visits, that utilization of healthcare services and costs were higher in the population receiving substance abuse prevention intervention, and that employees in the substance abuse prevention intervention reported lower heavy drinking and binge drinking. Data suggest that substance abuse prevention may result in higher healthcare costs and utilization in the short term, but a reduction in health risk behaviors such as heavy drinking may result in lower healthcare costs and utilization in the long term.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Health Care Costs
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Promotion / economics
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / economics
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Mental Health Services / economics
  • Mental Health Services / organization & administration
  • Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Health Services / economics
  • Occupational Health Services / organization & administration
  • Occupational Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Substance-Related Disorders / economics
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States