The effectiveness of health promotion at the University of Minnesota: expenditures, absenteeism, and participation in specific programs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of the University of Minnesota's worksite health promotion program in reducing health care expenditures during the first 2 years of the program; to investigate the program's effect on absenteeism; and to study the effect of specific disease- or lifestyle-management programs on both health care expenditures and absenteeism.


METHODS
Health care expenditures and absenteeism of program participants were compared with those who were eligible but did not participate. Differences-in-differences regression equations with random effects were used to account for selection.


RESULTS
Participation in the general disease management program over 2 years was associated with significant reductions in expenditures, as was participation in programs for certain specific diseases. No consistently significant absenteeism or lifestyle management effects were found.


CONCLUSIONS
: Although the program significantly reduced expenditures, it did not generate a positive return on investment.
Nyman
John A
JA
Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0392, USA. nyman001@umn.edu
Barleen
Nathan A
NA
Abraham
Jean M
JM
D000041:Absenteeism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics*; D014495:Universities