title: Estimating the return on investment from a health risk management program offered to small Colorado-based employers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether changes in health risks for workers in small businesses can produce medical and productivity cost savings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 1-year pre- and posttest study tracked changes in 10 modifiable health risks for 2458 workers at 121 Colorado businesses that participated in a comprehensive worksite health promotion program. Risk reductions were entered into a return-on-investment (ROI) simulation model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reductions were recorded in 10 risk factors examined, including obesity (-2.0%), poor eating habits (-5.8%), poor physical activity (-6.5%), tobacco use (-1.3%), high alcohol consumption (-1.7%), high stress (-3.5%), depression (-2.3%), high blood pressure (-0.3%), high total cholesterol (-0.9%), and high blood glucose (-0.2%). The ROI model estimated medical and productivity savings of $2.03 for every $1.00 invested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pooled data suggest that small businesses can realize a positive ROI from effective risk reduction programs.
authors.affiliation: From the Institute for Health and Productivity Studies (Dr Goetzel), Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Washington, DC; Truven Health Analytics (Drs Goetzel and Tabrizi), Bethesda, Md; Truven Health Analytics (Dr Henke), Cambridge, Mass; Truven Health Analytics (Ms Benevent), Santa Barbara, Calif; Segue Consulting (Ms Brockbank), Denver, Colo; Colorado School of Public Health (Ms Stinson and Dr Newman), Center for Worker Health and Environment, and Colorado School of Medicine (Dr Newman), University of Colorado, Aurora; and Trotter Wellness Ltd (Ms Trotter), Sheboygan, Wis.
authors.forename: Ron Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Goetzel
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabrizi
authors.forename: Rachel Mosher
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Henke
authors.forename: Richele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benevent
authors.forename: Claire V S
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Brockbank
authors.forename: Kaylan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stinson
authors.forename: Margo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trotter
authors.forename: Lee S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003120:Colorado; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior