Do worksite health promotion programs improve health?
Two decades of failures have shown us that superficial education-only based programs do not work very well. In contrast, intensive risk factor modification programs (nutrition, exercise, tobacco cessation, stress management, and group support) have produced remarkable results, including doubling reversal of heart disease compared to usual medical care in one study9 and delaying the onset of diabetes 58 percent compared to usual care in the Diabetes Prevention Program,10 and delaying the onset of prostate cancer markers as measured by PSA levels.11 Programs based solely on education usually fail. However, a comprehensive review of 378 studies published in peer-reviewed journals showed that well designed programs improve health knowledge, health behaviors, and underlying health conditions related to stress, smoking, weight, fitness, nutrition and wise use of the medical system.
