Objective: To evaluate relationships between modifiable health risks and costs and measure potential cost savings from risk reduction programs.
Methods: Health risk information from active Pepsi Bottling Group employees who completed health risk assessments between 2004 and 2006 (N = 11,217) were linked to medical care, workers' compensation, and short-term disability cost data. Ten health risks were examined. Multivariate analyses were performed to estimate costs associated with having high risk, holding demographics, and other risks constant. Potential savings from risk reduction were estimated.
Results: High risk for weight, blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol had the greatest impact on total costs. A one-percentage point annual reduction in the health risks assessed would yield annual per capita savings of $83.02 to $103.39.
Conclusions: Targeted programs that address modifiable health risks are expected to produce substantial cost reductions in multiple benefit categories.