title: Using a return-on-investment estimation model to evaluate outcomes from an obesity management worksite health promotion program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Certain modifiable risk factors lead to higher health care costs and reduced worker productivity. A predictive return-on-investment (ROI) model was applied to an obesity management intervention to demonstrate the use of econometric modeling in establishing financial justification for worksite health promotion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-reported risk factors (n = 890) were analyzed using chi2 and t test methods. Changes in risk factors, demographics, and financial measures comprised the model inputs that determined medical and productivity savings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 1 year, 7 of 10 health risks decreased. Of total projected savings ($311,755), 59% were attributed to reduced health care expenditures ($184,582) and 41% resulted from productivity improvements ($127,173), a $1.17 to $1.00 ROI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using an ROI model to project program savings is a practical way to provide financial justification for investment in worksite health promotion when risk reduction data are available.
authors.affiliation: Health and Productivity Research, Thomson Reuters, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Ron Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Goetzel
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Audrey J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Jennie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Maryam J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tabrizi
authors.forename: Craig F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: R Douglas
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Pelletier
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D016272:Occupational Health; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D017132:Workplace