title: The Novartis health index: a method for valuing the economic impact of risk reduction in a workforce.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Thomson Reuters, Washington, DC 20008, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Ginger S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Carls
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lenhart
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mauceri
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Columbus
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavuoti
authors.forename: Ron Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Goetzel
mesh_terms: 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