Employer-Funded Complete Health Improvement Program: Preliminary Results of Biomarker Changes

Previous studies of the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) have demonstrated short-term improvements in select metabolic and cardiovascular biomarkers in community-based programs. However, less is known about the benefits of an employer-funded lifestyle intervention program.

To determine if participation in employer-provided CHIP would result in improvements in short-term metabolic and cardiovascular biomarkers, and to compare the results of the current study to a larger national study.

This observational study evaluated metabolic and cardiovascular biomarker changes in employer health insurance beneficiaries enrolled in CHIP between August 2012 and November 2014. Body mass index; blood pressure (systolic and diastolic); total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, fasting plasma glucose, and triglyceride levels; and weight were measured at baseline and after CHIP.

Of 160 employees enrolled in CHIP, 115 women and 45 men agreed to participate in the study. Overall, the participants demonstrated significant reductions in body mass index, from a baseline average of 31.5 to a post-CHIP average of 30.5 (P<.001), systolic blood pressure from 124.5 to 119.4 mm Hg (P=.017), diastolic blood pressure from 77.3 to 74.5 mm Hg (P=.046), total cholesterol from 186.0 to 168.8 mg/dL (P<.001), low-density lipoprotein from 112.9 to 99.3 mg/dL (P<.001), high-density lipoprotein from 48.8 to 46.4 mg/dL (P<.001), and fasting plasma glucose from 100.8 to 96.5 mg/dL (P<.001).

When funded by an employer, CHIP demonstrated short-term improvements in select metabolic and cardiovascular biomarkers. Future studies will analyze these data to determine whether these findings translate into subsequent decreased employee absenteeism and reduced beneficiary health claims.