title: Better health at work? An evaluation of the effects and cost-benefits of a structured workplace health improvement programme in reducing sickness absence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper presents the results of an evaluation of the Better Health at Work Award-a structured regional workplace health programme which combined changes to the work environment with lifestyle interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline and follow-up data on sickness-absence rates and programme costs were collected retrospectively via a web survey of all participating organizations. Changes over time were calculated using 95% confidence intervals of the mean, supplemented by hypothesis testing using a t-test. The indicative cost-benefits of the intervention were also calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participation was associated with a mean reduction in sickness absence of 0.26-1.6 days per employee per year depending on the length and level of participation in the programme. The estimated cost for the programme was £3 per sickness-absence day saved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the Better Health at Work Award could be a cost-effective way of improving health and reducing sickness absence particularly in the public sector. However, controlled evaluations of future interventions are needed.
authors.affiliation: Tees Valley Public Health Shared Service, Redheugh House, Thornaby Place, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6BW, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Research Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BH, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bambra
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Research Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BH, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Research Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BH, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adetayo
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BH, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Milne
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D017132:Workplace / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: health improvement; health promotion; intervention; occupational; sickness absence