Craig N Sawchuk1, Joan Russo2, Gary Ferguson3, Jennifer Williamson4, Janice A Sabin5, Jack Goldberg6, Odile Madesclaire7, Olivia E Bogucki8, Dedra Buchwald7. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905. Email: sawchuk.craig@mayo.edu. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 3. University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska. 4. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, Alaska. 5. Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 6. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 7. Institute for Research and Education, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington. 8. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We examined health insurance benefits, workplace policies, and health promotion programs in small to midsize businesses in Alaska whose workforces were at least 20% Alaska Native. Participating businesses were enrolled in a randomized trial to improve health promotion efforts. METHODS:Twenty-six Alaska businesses completed from January 2009 through October 2010 a 30-item survey on health benefits, policies, and programs in the workplace. We generated frequency statistics to describe overall insurance coverage, and to detail insurance coverage, company policies, and workplace programs in 3 domains: tobacco use, physical activity and nutrition, and disease screening and management. RESULTS: Businesses varied in the number of employees (mean, 250; median, 121; range, 41-1,200). Most businesses offered at least partial health insurance for full-time employees and their dependents. Businesses completely banned tobacco in the workplace, and insurance coverage for tobacco cessation was limited. Eighteen had onsite food vendors, yet fewer than 6 businesses offered healthy food options, and even fewer offered them at competitive prices. Cancer screening and treatment were the health benefits most commonly covered by insurance. CONCLUSION: Although insurance coverage and workplace policies for chronic disease screening and management were widely available, significant opportunities remain for Alaska businesses to collaborate with federal, state, and community organizations on health promotion efforts to reduce the risk of chronic illness among their employees.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: We examined health insurance benefits, workplace policies, and health promotion programs in small to midsize businesses in Alaska whose workforces were at least 20% Alaska Native. Participating businesses were enrolled in a randomized trial to improve health promotion efforts. METHODS: Twenty-six Alaska businesses completed from January 2009 through October 2010 a 30-item survey on health benefits, policies, and programs in the workplace. We generated frequency statistics to describe overall insurance coverage, and to detail insurance coverage, company policies, and workplace programs in 3 domains: tobacco use, physical activity and nutrition, and disease screening and management. RESULTS: Businesses varied in the number of employees (mean, 250; median, 121; range, 41-1,200). Most businesses offered at least partial health insurance for full-time employees and their dependents. Businesses completely banned tobacco in the workplace, and insurance coverage for tobacco cessation was limited. Eighteen had onsite food vendors, yet fewer than 6 businesses offered healthy food options, and even fewer offered them at competitive prices. Cancer screening and treatment were the health benefits most commonly covered by insurance. CONCLUSION: Although insurance coverage and workplace policies for chronic disease screening and management were widely available, significant opportunities remain for Alaska businesses to collaborate with federal, state, and community organizations on health promotion efforts to reduce the risk of chronic illness among their employees.