2004 C. Everett Koop National Award Winner

The UAW-GM LifeSteps Health Promotion Program

• Description
• Contact Person and Summary Data
• Evaluation Summary
• Evaluation Documentation
• Critique

LifeSteps Health Promotion Program

LifeSteps is a comprehensive health promotion introduced in 1996 to provide all employees, retirees, and their families with confidential health promotion and behavioral change opportunities; confidential risk identification and reduction assistance; and access to real-time, relevant/credible health information to encourage appropriate use of medical services. A joint leadership approach between union and management is used for planning, administering, and funding the LifeSteps program.

The core program offers employees a health risk appraisal, biometric screening, health education and self-care print materials, web-based health information, counseling, and referral to health resources. The high risk program services include immediate feedback after taking a health risk appraisal, telephonic coaching, wellness support programs, and vouchers for doctor visits. This program aims to transition the employee population to a lower risk category both for individual health behaviors and overall health status, and to contain healthcare costs.

Evaluation studies have demonstrated health improvements in a number of risk areas including (among others) blood pressure, HDL levels, safety belt use, alcohol use, stress, and illness days. Economic impact studies have demonstrated program savings in both medical costs and disability absence, and yielded a savings-to-cost ratio of $1.20 to $1.00.

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----2004 Honorable Mention Awarded to HealthMedia, Inc and Care Management Institute of Kaiser Permanente----