A comparative economic analysis of work-related hypertension care programs

Cost of care and blood pressure control achieved were examined for individuals enrolled in two worksite hypertension control programs. In the first program, care was provided in a community-based setting by private physicians (model I-CBC); in the second program care was rendered by nurses under the supervision of a physician in work-based clinics (model II-WBC). In both situations, however, identification of employees with hypertension was effected through screening at the worksite. After adjustment for differences in labor market costs, annual average costs per client were found to be comparable for both programs. Blood pressure control (less than 160/95 mm Hg) was greater in model II-WBC than in model I-CBC. The average cost per unit of blood pressure reduction achieved by model II-WBC was +8.25 compared with +28.84 for model I-CBC, indicating a greater cost-effectiveness for worksite care programs.