Worksite educational programs are helping control diabetes for employees, according to a study conducted at a Chicago-based employer. The study involved First Chicago National Bank of Detroit [FCN] which offered a diabetes metillus education program to its Chicago employees. Diabetes metillus is the most common disease of the endocrine system found in American workers and affects 5 percent to 10 percent of the U.S. population.
It is estimated to account for $45 billion in direct medical costs and $47 billion in indirect cost of absenteeism, disability, lost productivity and premature mortality, according to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, which published the study in its August issue.
A total of 53 employees participated in the initial program and 45 completed it. Participants met once a month for an hour with a health educator who discussed meal planning, nutrition, exercise, medications, prevention and stress management.
- For most diabetic employees, the information about disease management was new. Some of them had not received information in the last five or 10 years to being diagnosed.
- After a six- to eight-week period, the employees' blood sugar levels showed significant declines. After three months, the level declined an average of 9.2 percent.
First Chicago plans to offer similar health education for asthma in the fall.
(First Chicago NBD, Catherine Connerty, 312/642-2364)