Illinois Workplace Wellness Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Workplace wellness programs have become a $6 billion industry and are widely touted as a way to improve employee well-being, reduce health care costs by promoting prevention, and increase workplace productivity. Yet, there is little rigorous evidence available to support these claims, partly because the voluntary nature of these programs means that participants may differ from nonparticipants for reasons unrelated to the causal effects of the wellness program. The investigators will implement a randomized control trial to identify the effects of incentives on wellness program participation, produce causal estimates of the effect of wellness programs on health outcomes, determine what kinds of employees benefit from wellness programs the most, and test for the presence of peer effects in wellness participation.

Official Title
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Illinois Workplace Wellness Study

Conditions
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Employee Health and Well-being

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Workplace Wellness Program
* Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - No Compensation
* Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - Moderate Compensation
* Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - High Compensation
* Behavioral: Wellness Activities - Low Compensation
* Behavioral: Wellness Activities - High Compensation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Benefits eligible employees at UIUC. Physically located on UIUC campus, not terminated, eligible for benefits. Exclusion Criteria: Members of the research team, employees directly involved with the approval or implementation of the study, family members of the research team.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Our primary analysis compares outcomes between a control group and six (6) treatment groups. Our secondary analysis compares pre-determined characteristics across members of the treatment group who adopt the intervention and those who do not.
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control<br>The control group takes a baseline survey, and thereafter has minimal interaction with the project, until a follow-up biometric screening is conducted during the one-year follow-up. | |
| Experimental: A25<br>Group A25 is offered no compensation for completing a biometric screening and HRA, and low compensation for each completed wellness course in the fall or spring of the study. Interventions: Workplace Wellness Program, Biometric Screening/HRA - No compensation, Wellness Activities - low compensation | Behavioral: Workplace Wellness Program<br>* Treatment group members will then be offered the opportunity to participate in a biometric screening and health risk assessment (biometric screening + HRA), and -- conditional on completing an biometric screening + HRA -- up to two, semester-long wellness programs. Treatment group members will be offered varying levels of cash reward for completing the biometric screening + HRA (none, moderate, high), and an additional cash reward for completing each wellness activity (low, high), for a total of 6 treatment cells. Follow-up surveys and biometric screenings will be administered one year later, among a subset of control and treatment group members.<br>* Other names: Wellness Course;Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - No Compensation<br>* The biometric test will measure: (1) anthropometrics such as height, weight, and waist circumference (to assess obesity and overweight status); (2) resting blood pressure (to assess hypertension); (3) blood glucose (to assess diabetes risk); and (4) total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels, total cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides (to assess risk of cardiovascular disease). The HRA is a survey designed to identify areas of health improvement, by asking a series of questions related to wellness, health status, nutrition, healthy activities, desire to improve health, preventative health measures. The HRA is also pre-populated with biometric information from the screening. Upon completion, participants are given customized feedback on areas of improvement. No compensation for completion.<br>Behavioral: Wellness Activities - Low Compensation<br>* Courses are designed by the UI Wellness Center and include an Active Living class; self-paced online health challenges in physical activity, weight management, and healthy eating; a weight management class; a tobacco cessation hotline; a stress management class; a Tai Chi class; and a chronic disease management class. Low compensation for each class.<br>|
| Experimental: A75<br>Group A75 is offered no compensation for completing a biometric screening and HRA, and high compensation for each completed wellness course in the fall or spring of the study. Interventions: Workplace Wellness Program, Biometric Screening/HRA - No compensation, Wellness Activities - high compensation | Behavioral: Workplace Wellness Program<br>* Treatment group members will then be offered the opportunity to participate in a biometric screening and health risk assessment (biometric screening + HRA), and -- conditional on completing an biometric screening + HRA -- up to two, semester-long wellness programs. Treatment group members will be offered varying levels of cash reward for completing the biometric screening + HRA (none, moderate, high), and an additional cash reward for completing each wellness activity (low, high), for a total of 6 treatment cells. Follow-up surveys and biometric screenings will be administered one year later, among a subset of control and treatment group members.<br>* Other names: Wellness Course;Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - No Compensation<br>* The biometric test will measure: (1) anthropometrics such as height, weight, and waist circumference (to assess obesity and overweight status); (2) resting blood pressure (to assess hypertension); (3) blood glucose (to assess diabetes risk); and (4) total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels, total cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides (to assess risk of cardiovascular disease). The HRA is a survey designed to identify areas of health improvement, by asking a series of questions related to wellness, health status, nutrition, healthy activities, desire to improve health, preventative health measures. The HRA is also pre-populated with biometric information from the screening. Upon completion, participants are given customized feedback on areas of improvement. No compensation for completion.<br>Behavioral: Wellness Activities - High Compensation<br>* Courses are designed by the UI Wellness Center and include an Active Living class; self-paced online health challenges in physical activity, weight management, and healthy eating; a weight management class; a tobacco cessation hotline; a stress management class; a Tai Chi class; and a chronic disease management class. High compensation for each class.<br>|
| Experimental: B25<br>Group B25 is offered moderate compensation for completing a biometric screening and HRA, and low compensation for each completed wellness course in the fall or spring of the study. Interventions: Workplace Wellness Program, Biometric Screening/HRA - moderate compensation, Wellness Activities - high compensation | Behavioral: Workplace Wellness Program<br>* Treatment group members will then be offered the opportunity to participate in a biometric screening and health risk assessment (biometric screening + HRA), and -- conditional on completing an biometric screening + HRA -- up to two, semester-long wellness programs. Treatment group members will be offered varying levels of cash reward for completing the biometric screening + HRA (none, moderate, high), and an additional cash reward for completing each wellness activity (low, high), for a total of 6 treatment cells. Follow-up surveys and biometric screenings will be administered one year later, among a subset of control and treatment group members.<br>* Other names: Wellness Course;Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - Moderate Compensation<br>* The biometric test will measure: (1) anthropometrics such as height, weight, & waist circumference (to assess obesity and overweight status); (2) resting blood pressure (to assess hypertension); (3) blood glucose (to assess diabetes risk); & (4) total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels, total cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides (to assess risk of cardiovascular disease). The HRA is a survey designed to identify areas of health improvement, by asking a series of questions related to wellness, health status, nutrition, healthy activities, desire to improve health, preventative health measures. The HRA is also pre-populated with biometric information from the screening. Upon completion, participants are given customized feedback on areas of improvement. Moderate compensation for completion.<br>Behavioral: Wellness Activities - Low Compensation<br>* Courses are designed by the UI Wellness Center and include an Active Living class; self-paced online health challenges in physical activity, weight management, and healthy eating; a weight management class; a tobacco cessation hotline; a stress management class; a Tai Chi class; and a chronic disease management class. Low compensation for each class.<br>|
| Experimental: B75<br>Group B75 is offered moderate compensation for completing a biometric screening and HRA, and high compensation for each completed wellness course in the fall or spring of the study. Interventions: Workplace Wellness Program, Biometric Screening/HRA - moderate compensation, Wellness Activities - high compensation | Behavioral: Workplace Wellness Program<br>* Treatment group members will then be offered the opportunity to participate in a biometric screening and health risk assessment (biometric screening + HRA), and -- conditional on completing an biometric screening + HRA -- up to two, semester-long wellness programs. Treatment group members will be offered varying levels of cash reward for completing the biometric screening + HRA (none, moderate, high), and an additional cash reward for completing each wellness activity (low, high), for a total of 6 treatment cells. Follow-up surveys and biometric screenings will be administered one year later, among a subset of control and treatment group members.<br>* Other names: Wellness Course;Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - Moderate Compensation<br>* The biometric test will measure: (1) anthropometrics such as height, weight, & waist circumference (to assess obesity and overweight status); (2) resting blood pressure (to assess hypertension); (3) blood glucose (to assess diabetes risk); & (4) total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels, total cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides (to assess risk of cardiovascular disease). The HRA is a survey designed to identify areas of health improvement, by asking a series of questions related to wellness, health status, nutrition, healthy activities, desire to improve health, preventative health measures. The HRA is also pre-populated with biometric information from the screening. Upon completion, participants are given customized feedback on areas of improvement. Moderate compensation for completion.<br>Behavioral: Wellness Activities - High Compensation<br>* Courses are designed by the UI Wellness Center and include an Active Living class; self-paced online health challenges in physical activity, weight management, and healthy eating; a weight management class; a tobacco cessation hotline; a stress management class; a Tai Chi class; and a chronic disease management class. High compensation for each class.<br>|
| Experimental: C25<br>Group C25 is offered high compensation for completing a biometric screening and HRA, and low compensation for each completed wellness course in the fall or spring of the study. Interventions: Workplace Wellness Program, Biometric Screening/HRA - high compensation, Wellness Activities - high compensation | Behavioral: Workplace Wellness Program<br>* Treatment group members will then be offered the opportunity to participate in a biometric screening and health risk assessment (biometric screening + HRA), and -- conditional on completing an biometric screening + HRA -- up to two, semester-long wellness programs. Treatment group members will be offered varying levels of cash reward for completing the biometric screening + HRA (none, moderate, high), and an additional cash reward for completing each wellness activity (low, high), for a total of 6 treatment cells. Follow-up surveys and biometric screenings will be administered one year later, among a subset of control and treatment group members.<br>* Other names: Wellness Course;Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - High Compensation<br>* The biometric test will measure: (1) anthropometrics such as height, weight, and waist circumference (to assess obesity and overweight status); (2) resting blood pressure (to assess hypertension); (3) blood glucose (to assess diabetes risk); and (4) total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels, total cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides (to assess risk of cardiovascular disease). The HRA is a survey designed to identify areas of health improvement, by asking a series of questions related to wellness, health status, nutrition, healthy activities, desire to improve health, preventative health measures. The HRA is also pre-populated with biometric information from the screening. Upon completion, participants are given customized feedback on areas of improvement. High compensation for completion.<br>Behavioral: Wellness Activities - Low Compensation<br>* Courses are designed by the UI Wellness Center and include an Active Living class; self-paced online health challenges in physical activity, weight management, and healthy eating; a weight management class; a tobacco cessation hotline; a stress management class; a Tai Chi class; and a chronic disease management class. Low compensation for each class.<br>|
| Experimental: C75<br>Group C75 is offered high compensation for completing a biometric screening and HRA, and high compensation for each completed wellness course in the fall or spring of the study. Interventions: Workplace Wellness Program, Biometric Screening/HRA - high compensation Wellness Activities - high compensation | Behavioral: Workplace Wellness Program<br>* Treatment group members will then be offered the opportunity to participate in a biometric screening and health risk assessment (biometric screening + HRA), and -- conditional on completing an biometric screening + HRA -- up to two, semester-long wellness programs. Treatment group members will be offered varying levels of cash reward for completing the biometric screening + HRA (none, moderate, high), and an additional cash reward for completing each wellness activity (low, high), for a total of 6 treatment cells. Follow-up surveys and biometric screenings will be administered one year later, among a subset of control and treatment group members.<br>* Other names: Wellness Course;Behavioral: Biometric Screening/HRA - High Compensation<br>* The biometric test will measure: (1) anthropometrics such as height, weight, and waist circumference (to assess obesity and overweight status); (2) resting blood pressure (to assess hypertension); (3) blood glucose (to assess diabetes risk); and (4) total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels, total cholesterol ratio, and triglycerides (to assess risk of cardiovascular disease). The HRA is a survey designed to identify areas of health improvement, by asking a series of questions related to wellness, health status, nutrition, healthy activities, desire to improve health, preventative health measures. The HRA is also pre-populated with biometric information from the screening. Upon completion, participants are given customized feedback on areas of improvement. High compensation for completion.<br>Behavioral: Wellness Activities - High Compensation<br>* Courses are designed by the UI Wellness Center and include an Active Living class; self-paced online health challenges in physical activity, weight management, and healthy eating; a weight management class; a tobacco cessation hotline; a stress management class; a Tai Chi class; and a chronic disease management class. High compensation for each class.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wellness Program participation | Completion of biometric screening, HRA, wellness activities | First year of study | 
| Wellness Program participation | Completion of biometric screening, HRA, wellness activities | Second year of study | 
| Selection into treatment by baseline health spending | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Average monthly spending prior to the intervention is measured via administrative health claims data. | 13 months prior to study | 
| Selection into treatment by self-reported health | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Self-reported health is measured as excellent, good, average, or poor. | Baseline measure | 
| Selection into treatment by gender | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Gender is measured in administrative HR records. | Baseline measure | 
| Selection into treatment by Age | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Age is grouped into three categories: younger than 37, age 37 to 49, age 50 or higher. | Baseline measure | 
| Selection into treatment by race | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Race is measure via administrative HR records, as white or nonwhite. | Baseline measure | 
| Selection into treatment by salary quartile | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Salary, measured by administrative HR records, is coded into 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartile. | Baseline measure | 
| Selection into treatment by self-reported health utilization | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Health care utilization is measured by survey, with yes/no variable for: ever having been screened, prescription drug use, physician/ER visit in prior year, hospital visit in the past year. | Baseline measure | 
| Selection into treatment by smoking status | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Smoking status is measured via survey, with yes/no variables for: current smoker of cigarettes, current smoker of other product, former smoker, never smoker. | Baseline measure | 
| Selection into treatment by chronic condition | The investigators will compare the average observable characteristics of participants, relative to treatment non-participants. Chronic condition is measured via baseline survey, and coded as a yes/no variable. | Baseline measure | 
| Health Insurance Spending | Spending as measured in health insurance claims data | 12 months and 24-30 months following study | 
| Employment and Productivity | Promotion, job termination, sick leave, attitude toward management, index of these variables | 12 months and 24-30 months following study | 
| Health Status and Behaviors | Marathon participation, gym visits, health screening | 12 months and 24-30 months following study | 
| Height | Biometric health measures collected one year after study. Height is measured in feet and inches. | 1 year following study, 2 years following study | 
| Weight | Biometric health measures collected one year after study. Weight is measured in pounds and ounces. | 1 year following study, 2 years following study | 
| Waist circumference | Biometric health measures collected one year after study. Circumference is measured in inches. | 1 year following study, 2 years following study | 
| Resting blood pressure | Biometric health measures collected one year after study. Blood pressure is measured in mm Hg. | 1 year following study, 2 years following study | 
| Blood glucose | Biometric health measures collected one year after study. Blood glucose is measured in mg/dL. | 1 year following study, 2 years following study | 
| Cholesterol levels | Biometric health measures collected one year after study. Cholesterol is measured mg/dL. We measure lipids: LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. | 1 year following study, 2 years following study | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Health Care, Workplace Wellness, Health Costs, Preventative Health Care