The Novartis health index: a method for valuing the economic impact of risk reduction in a workforce.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a calculator that measures the potential cost impact of changes in health risks and presents results graphically.


METHODS
Demographic and health risk data for Novartis employees were input into a calculator that estimated employer medical care, short-term disability, absenteeism, and presenteeism costs associated with risk prevalence, based on a previous cross-sectional analysis of the association between risks and costs. Estimated costs were presented as a relative score, the Novartis Health Index, which is a measure of the overall costs associated with the risk profile of a population of interest.


RESULTS
The population of Novartis employees had an index score of 81.5 (out of 100), indicating a relatively healthy risk profile, and baseline annual costs of $9619 per employee. Risk reduction of 1% and 10% for tobacco, alcohol use, and emotional health risks had the potential to generate annual savings of $91,500 and $915,000, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The Novartis Health Index framework allows employers to track performance relative to health risk management using a single, accessible, user-friendly measure.
Kelly
Emily
E
Thomson Reuters, Washington, DC 20008, USA.
Carls
Ginger S
GS
Lenhart
Greg
G
Mauceri
Edward
E
Columbus
Daniel
D
Cavuoti
Ann
A
Goetzel
Ron Z
RZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods; D003626:Data Display; D004651:Employment / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012984:Software; D013557:Switzerland; D055815:Young Adult