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Cost-effectiveness of workplace wellness to prevent cardiovascular events among U.S. firefighters

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The leading cause of death among firefighters in the United States (U.S.) is cardiovascular events (CVEs) such as sudden cardiac arrest and myocardial infarction. This study compared the cost-effectiveness of three strategies to prevent CVEs among firefighters. METHODS: We used a cost-effectiveness analysis model with published observational and clinical data, and cost quotes for physiologic monitoring devices to determine the cost-effectiveness of three CVE prevention strategies. We adopted the fire department administrator perspective and varied parameter estimates in one-way and two-way sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: A wellness-fitness program prevented 10% of CVEs, for an event rate of 0.9% at $1440 over 10-years, or an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $1.44 million per CVE prevented compared to no program. In one-way sensitivity analyses, monitoring was favored if costs were < $116/year. In two-way sensitivity analyses, monitoring was not favored if cost was ≥ $399/year. A wellness-fitness program was not favored if its preventive relative risk was >0.928. CONCLUSIONS: Wellness-fitness programs may be a cost-effective solution to preventing CVE among firefighters compared to real-time physiologic monitoring or doing nothing.

Source: BMC Cardiovascular Disorders

DOI: 10.1186/s12872-016-0414-0

Authors: P. Daniel Patterson, Kenneth J. Smith, David Hostler

Institutions: University of Pittsburgh, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Performance

Subfield: Occupational Therapy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090