The effectiveness of a health promotion program after 3 years: evidence from the University of Minnesota.
BACKGROUND
Health promotion programs for the workplace are often sold to employers with the promise that they will pay for themselves with lowered health care expenditures and reduced absenteeism. In a recent review of the literature, it was noted that analysts often caution not to expect a positive return on investment until the third year of operation.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigates whether a positive return on investment was generated in the third year for the health promotion program used by the University of Minnesota. It further investigates what it is about the third year that would explain such a phenomenon.


METHODS
The study uses health care expenditure data and absenteeism data from 2004 to 2008 to investigate the effect of the University's lifestyle and disease management programs. It also investigates the effectiveness of participation in Minnesota's 10,000 Steps walking program and Miavita self-help programs.


METHODS
A differences-in-differences equations approach is used to address potential selection bias. Possible regression to the mean is dealt with by using only those who were eligible to participate as control observations. Propensity score weighting was used to balance the sample on observable characteristics and reduce bias due to omitted variables.


RESULTS
The study finds that a 1.76 return on investment occurs in the third year of operation that is generated solely by the effect of disease management program participation in reducing health care expenditures. However, neither of the explanations for a third-year effect we tested seemed to be able to explain this phenomenon.
Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0392, USA. nyman001@umn.edu
John A
JA
Nyman
Jean M
JM
Abraham
Molly Moore
MM
Jeffery
Nathan A
NA
Barleen
D019468:Disease Management; D015438:Health Behavior; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008910:Minnesota; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*