A comprehensive approach to corporate health management

The Northern Telecom Inc. Health, Safety and Environment program is an integrated, cross-functional approach to the management of health and health-related risks. We describe the key structural elements of the program and some preliminary data using survey and insurance claims data to follow changes in health-risk factors and diagnosis-specific costs during 5 years of operation of this comprehensive safety, industrial hygiene, primary care, disease prevention, and health promotion program. A pilot study demonstrated significant improvements in risk factors, health service use, and health-related costs. On a company-wide basis, there have been similar changes. We compare these results to published data and discuss possible reasons for the improvements in risks and costs. We conclude that a comprehensive information and skill-building program aimed at management as well as employees and dependents generates synergistic cost-beneficial change.