Body@Work

Economic evaluations of lifestyle interventions in occupational health

PERIOD

December 2009-November 2013

FUNDING

Delta Lloyd Groep Zorgverzekeringen B.V.

INVESTIGATORS / ONDERZOEKERS
J.M. van Dongen, MSc1,2
M.F. van Wier, MSc1,3
Prof. Dr. Ir. P.M. Bongers1,4,5
Prof. Dr. A.J. van der Beek1,4
Prof. Dr. M.W. van Tulder1,2,3

1 Body@Work, Research Center on Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2 Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Unit: Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, EMGO+ Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3 EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research,, VU University Medical Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 4 EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Department of Social Medicine, The Netherlands 5 TNO, Quality of Life, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit of four lifestyle interventions, which aim to improve general health and vitality among employees of several Dutch companies. Economic evaluations will be carried out alongside four randomised clinical trials. The interventions and the names of the PhD-students conducting these randomised clinical trials are listed below.
1. A tailor-made intervention to prevent and reduce overweight and musculoskeletal complaints among construction workers. (Laura Viester) 2. A health culture intervention aimed at improved self-regulation with respect to healthy behaviour and vitality among office workers. (Arjella van Scheppingen) 3. An intervention on energy balance related behaviours and work engagement to improve vitality. (Jantien van Berkel) 4. A lifestyle intervention to reduce stress in office workers. (Jennifer Coffeng)
In addition, several methodological studies will be carried out with regard to cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit of lifestyle interventions in occupational health.

METHODS

The economic evaluation of each lifestyle intervention consists of a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The aim of the CEA will be to determine and compare the difference in total costs between the intervention and the control group, and to relate these differences in costs to the difference in effects between the two groups. The aim of the CBA will be to compare the costs with obtained benefits. Analyses will be performed from a societal and a company perspective.
From a societal perspective, all relevant costs and effects will be included. From a company perspective, only costs and effects relevant to the company will be included. Intervention costs will be estimated by using a micro-costing approach. In order to estimate productivity loss, the PRODISQ will be used and sick leave data will be collected from the company registrations. The costs related to productivity loss will be estimated by using the human capital method as well as the friction cost method. Health care utilization of the participants will be monitored through retrospective cost questionnaires filled in on a three monthly basis. Subsequently, health care utilization costs will be estimated by multiplying the respective units of resource use by standard price weights according to Dutch standard prices. If standard price weights are not available, tariffs will be used. Data analysis will be performed according to the intention to treat principle.

RESULTS

The first results can be expected in 2013.

More information: Hanneke van Dongen
e-mail: hanneke.van.dongen@falw.vu.nl
tel: +31 20 5983692