The costs and effects of a nutritional education program following work- site cholesterol screening

T. Byers, R. Mullis, J. Anderson, L. Dusenbury, R. Gorski, C. Kimber, K. Krueger, S. Kuester, A. Mokdad, G. Perry and C.A. Smith

American Journal of Public Health, 1995, vol. 85, issue 5, 650-655

Abstract: Objectives. The purpose of this study was to assess the costs and impact of a nutrition education program following a cholesterol screening. Methods. Forty work-sites were randomly assigned to one of two educational interventions: a 'usual' intervention of 5 minutes of counseling, or a 'special' intervention of 2 hours of behaviorally based education on dietary changes to lower serum cholesterol. Costs were monitored, and cholesterol levels were retested 6 and 12 months later. Results. The total per-person cost for screening and the educational intervention was about $50. Cholesterol levels differed little between the two intervention groups 6 months after screening, but after 12 months those in the special intervention worksites showed a 6.5% drop in cholesterol, whereas those at the usual intervention worksites showed a drop of only 3.0%. Hence a 3.5% cholesterol reduction was attributable to the special intervention. Conclusions. A behaviorally based nutrition education program following cholesterol screening can have a meaningful impact on longterm cholesterol levels at a low cost. Nutrition education in work-sites may therefore be a useful way to lower the risk of heart disease in communities.

Date: 1995
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1995:85:5:650-655_9

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