100,000 WorkHealth checks: analysis of results

From 1 July 2009 to 29 March 2010, 100,000 workers from a broad range of industries received a WorkHealth check as part of the WorkHealth program. Analysis of these checks shows the following results.

Risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

•    1% (832 workers) had one or more results indicating a very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease and were advised to see a GP within 24 hours of their WorkHealth check.
•    39% of workers had one or more results indicating a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
•    48% of male workers were found to have a high or very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease, as compared with 32% of females.

Self assessment of health

Results for worker self assessment of their own health  included:  

•    20% of men who thought their health was “very good” or “excellent” were actually at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
•    14% of women who thought their health was “very good” or “excellent” were actually at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

Biomedical and lifestyle risk factors

•    Males were also more likely than females to have elevated blood pressure, drink alcohol at risky levels, eat less than the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables, and smoke.
•    However, females were more likely than males to have a waist measurement indicating a greatly increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

The most common biomedical risk factors among those tested were:

•    38% had low levels of HDL cholesterol (commonly known as ‘good’ cholesterol)
•    25% had a waist measurement indicating a greatly increased risk of type 2 diabetes
•    21% had elevated blood pressure
•    17% had elevated readings of random blood sugar

The most commonly reported lifestyle risks included:

•    93% reported eating less than the daily recommended intake of fruit and vegetables (i.e. less then five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit per day)
•    73% reported inadequate physical exercise (i.e. less than 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day)
•    38% reported risky levels of alcohol consumption
•    17% of those tested were smokers

About WorkHealth

•    WorkHealth is a Victorian Government initiative delivered by WorkSafe Victoria. The world-first initiative aims to improve the health and wellbeing of workers and reduce the risk of chronic disease amongst Victoria's working population.

•    Launched in March 2008, the $218 million, five year program will give every Victorian worker the opportunity to be screened for their risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

•    WorkHealth also provides funding, tools and resources to employers to support them in promoting positive health in the workplace.

About the WorkHealth check

•    The WorkHealth check is a quick, confidential health assessment delivered in the workplace. In 15 minutes, participants learn about the state of their health, and in particular their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

•    Delivered by trained health professionals, WorkHealth checks include a brief lifestyle survey together with measurement of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and waist circumference.

•    Workers receive immediate results and advice about their risk of chronic disease, as well as information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

•    Those identified as being at increased risk of chronic disease are advised to visit their GP, and are also given access to funded lifestyle programs.

About chronic disease in Victoria

•    Victorian workers are increasingly suffering from preventable chronic disease (such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease).  

•    Over 190,000 Victorians have type 2 diabetes, with another 15,000 diagnosed with the disease every year. For every known case, there is another undiagnosed one.

•    Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) is the leading cause of death in Australia. It accounts for 34% of all deaths, which are largely preventable.

•    By 2025, 83% of Victorian men and 75% of women will either be overweight or obese, putting them at risk of chronic diseases.

•    The economic cost of obesity for Victoria in 2008 was $14.4 billion. Between 2002-03 and 2032-33, the healthcare costs of type 2 diabetes alone are expected to increase by $5.6 billion.

For more information about getting a free workhealth check for your staff please click here