Bevis, Cynthia C., Nogle, June M., Forges, Barbara, Chen, Philip C., Sievers, Deborah, Lucas, Karlene Ranghell, Mahoney, John J., Crawford, James M.
funding text
Unrestricted grants were provided to the Florida Health Care Coalition as the contractual entity, which in turn executed contracts to the University of Florida, Florida Hospital Diabetes Institute, and Cognoscenti Health Institute as Contracted Research Organizations. The unrestricted grants were obtained from the following entities: AstraZeneca, Merck, Daichi Sankyo, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi Aventis US, and Abbott Laboratories. These entities had no input in program design, execution, or evaluation. Their identity was unknown to the Contracted Research Organizations until completion of the program. Dr Mahoney received funding from Merck Speakers Bureau. Ms Lucas and Dr Mahoney, other than being employees of the Florida Health Care Coalition, were recipients of the unrestricted grants in support of this program.
abstract
Objective: A 12-month wellness program was provided for employees of a major employer in the Orlando area. Methods: The program involved screening and measurement of baseline indices, educational sessions, telephonic support, quarterly laboratory monitoring, and provision of glucometers and test strips. Results: For the 73 enrolled employees with prediabetes, serum hemoglobin A1c levels-mean (standard deviation)-decreased from 6.10% (0.53%) to 5.42% (0.51%) (P<0.0001). For the 151 enrolled employees with diabetes, mean serum hemoglobin A1c levels-mean (standard deviation)decreased from 8.03% (1.91%) to 7.48% (1.52%) (P<0.0001). In the 12 months before, during, and after the program, 27, 15, and 27 diabetic employees required hospitalization, respectively. Health insurance per member per month claims costs for employees with diabetes rose only 1.2% over the prior 12 months, and self-reported presenteeism increased (P<0.0001). Conclusions: This employer-endorsed program achieved favorable outcomes for employees with prediabetes and diabetes.