Small, blue collar work site hypertension screening: a cost-effectiveness study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Background:

• Hypertension screening in workplace settings is crucial for early detection and management.
• Assessing the cost-effectiveness of different screening strategies is essential for resource allocation.
• Multicultural, blue-collar work sites present unique challenges for health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the cost-effectiveness of one-stage versus two-stage hypertension screening.
• To evaluate the impact of different screening protocols on hypertension control in workers.
• To determine the preferred screening strategy for small to medium-sized blue-collar workplaces.

Main Methods:

• Randomized allocation of workers with elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) to one- or two-stage screening.
• Implementation of differing physician referral protocols based on DBP and treatment status.
• Assessment of outcomes including DBP decrease, physician visits, and medication control at one year.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in effects or cost-effectiveness between one-stage and two-stage screening after one year.
• Both groups achieved a significant decrease in DBP (8.5 mm Hg).
• 54% of participants saw a physician within the recommended timeframe, and 50% achieved controlled blood pressure.

Conclusions:

• One-stage hypertension screening is a viable and preferred option due to its ease of implementation.
• Both screening methods yielded comparable health outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
• Worksite hypertension screening programs can effectively improve cardiovascular health in blue-collar populations.