Frequency of health risk assessment activities at U.S. worksites

Abstract

Data from the National Survey of Worksite Health Promotion Activities include information about health risk assessment (HRA) activities available at private sector worksites in the United States. HRA activities were found at 29.5% of all worksites. Of those worksites, 24% provided HRA questionnaires and 77.4% provided periodic health/physical examinations. Screening tests provided as part of the health/physical exams included blood pressure screening (55.4%), cancer screening (19.5%), blood tests for cholesterol (28.3%) and sugar (39%), and tests of physical fitness (15.1%). In most cases, the frequency increased as worksite size increased, regional variations were small, and there was significant variation among different industry types. HRA activities were overrepresented at worksites where the majority of workers were women, over 30 years of age, not blue collar, and not represented by a union. On-site health personnel increased the likelihood of the presence of HRA activities. At 85% of the worksites with HRA activities all permanent employees were eligible. The full costs of screening were paid by 87.9% of the worksites, activities were held on company time at 74.5%, and time off to participate was available at 78.2% of worksites. The most commonly mentioned benefit of HRA activities was improved employee health (47.1%). Other health promotion activities frequently found in association with HRA activities were smoking cessation (54.1%), care and prevention of back pain (50.8%), and stress management (49.6%).