Reducing Metabolic Syndrome Risk Using a Personalized Wellness Program

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a targeted, personalized wellness program on reducing employees’ future risk of metabolic syndrome. Methods: Aetna piloted a year-long program that included a limited genetic profile, a traditional psychosocial assessment, and high-intensity coaching in a randomized controlled study of Aetna employees with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome. Results: Sustained employee engagement of 50% over the course of 1 year; 76% of participating employees lost an average of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) (P < 0.001 vs baseline weight), and there were trends in improved clinical outcomes relative to three of five metabolic factors. Average health care costs were reduced by $122 per participant per month, resulting in a positive return on investment in the program's first year. Conclusions: At scale, such programs would be expected to lead to significant downstream reduction in major clinical events and costs.

• Publication year

  2015

• Venue

  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

• Publication date

  2015-12-01

• Fields of study

  Medicine, Business

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000582PMID 26474447
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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