Kolbe-Alexander Tracy L, Buckmaster Chris, Nossel Craig, Dreyer Liezel, Bull Fiona, Noakes Timothy D, Lambert Estelle V
UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, UCT School of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
BMC Public Health. 2008 Jul 4;8:228. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-228.
Non-communicable diseases (NCD) accounts for more than a third (37%) of all deaths in South Africa. However, this burden of disease can be reduced by addressing risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the health and risk profile of South African employees presenting for health risk assessments and to measure their readiness to change and improve lifestyle behaviour.
Employees (n = 1954) from 18 companies were invited to take part in a wellness day, which included a health-risk assessment. Self-reported health behaviour and health status was recorded. Clinical measures included cholesterol finger-prick test, blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI). Health-related age was calculated using an algorithm incorporating the relative risk for all case mortality associated with smoking, physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, BMI and cholesterol. Medical claims data were obtained from the health insurer.
The mean percentage of participation was 26% (n = 1954) and ranged from 4% in transport to 81% in the consulting sector. Health-related age (38.5 +/- 12.9 years) was significantly higher than chronological age (34.9 +/- 10.3 yrs) (p < 0.001). Both chronological and risk-related age were significantly different between the sectors (P < 0.001), with the manufacturing sector being the oldest and finance having the youngest employees. Health-related age was significantly associated with number of days adversely affected by mental and physical health, days away from work and total annual medical costs (p < 0.001). Employees had higher rates of overweight, smoking among men, and physical inactivity (total sample) when compared the general SA population. Increased health-related expenditure was associated with increased number of risk factors, absenteeism and reduced physical activity.
SA employees' health and lifestyle habits are placing them at increased risk for NCD's, suggesting that they may develop NCD's earlier than expected. Inter-sectoral differences for health-related age might provide insight into those companies which have the greatest need for interventions, and may also assist in predicting future medical expenditure. This study underscores the importance of determining the health and risk status of employees which could assist in identifying the appropriate interventions to reduce the risk of NCD's among employees.
非传染性疾病（NCD）占南非所有死亡人数的三分之一以上（37%）。然而，通过解决风险因素可以减轻这种疾病负担。本研究的目的是确定参加健康风险评估的南非员工的健康状况和风险概况，并衡量他们改变和改善生活方式行为的意愿。
邀请来自18家公司的员工（n = 1954）参加健康日活动，其中包括健康风险评估。记录自我报告的健康行为和健康状况。临床测量包括胆固醇指尖采血检测、血压和体重指数（BMI）。使用一种算法计算与健康相关的年龄，该算法纳入了与吸烟、身体活动、水果和蔬菜摄入量、BMI和胆固醇相关的所有病例死亡率的相对风险。医疗理赔数据来自健康保险公司。
平均参与率为26%（n = 1954），范围从运输行业的4%到咨询行业的81%。与健康相关的年龄（38.5 +/- 12.9岁）显著高于实际年龄（34.9 +/- 10.3岁）（p < 0.001）。实际年龄和与风险相关的年龄在各部门之间均存在显著差异（P < 0.001），制造业员工年龄最大，金融行业员工年龄最小。与健康相关的年龄与受身心健康负面影响的天数、缺勤天数和年度医疗总费用显著相关（p < 0.001）。与南非普通人群相比，员工超重率更高，男性吸烟率更高，总体样本身体活动不足。与健康相关的支出增加与风险因素数量增加、缺勤率上升和身体活动减少有关。
南非员工的健康和生活方式习惯使他们患非传染性疾病的风险增加，这表明他们可能比预期更早患上非传染性疾病。与健康相关年龄的部门间差异可能有助于了解哪些公司最需要干预措施，也可能有助于预测未来的医疗支出。本研究强调了确定员工健康和风险状况的重要性，这有助于确定适当的干预措施，以降低员工患非传染性疾病的风险。
