In addition, the researchers found evidence suggestive of a dose-response relationship. Among DASH participants who visited the website at least 9 times during the study year, each additional visit was associated with lower study year costs overall and in the DASH cardiovascular risk group. "Evidence of this dose-response was strongest among the DASH participants in the Cardiovascular risk group, where each additional website visit was associated with a $55 study year healthcare cost decrease," said lead author Naomi Sacks, MA, a PhD student in Health Services Research in the Department of Health Policy and Management at BUSPH.

"Our focus on the effects of an employer-sponsored, web-based diet and exercise program on healthcare costs also expands our understanding of the effects of employer benefits that encourage employees to better manage their health status and contain healthcare costs," added Sacks. "Regular use of the DASH for Health program may encourage health behavior changes that result in cost savings among persons with chronic conditions in a relatively short time frame. The benefits of DASH participation among healthier, younger enrollees may be evident over a longer time period than the year evaluated for this study. Employers, particularly those who are self-insured, may be interested in both short- and long-term employee costs and health status and choose to invest in health status improvements that will show benefits over the long term."

According to Delia Vetter, Senior Director of Benefits and Programs for EMC Corporation, the company is committed to helping its employees balance their work and personal lives and prioritize their health. "We are pleased to offer DASH as a part of our overall strategy to partner in health with our employees through highly targeted, value-based benefits and programs. Over 7,000 EMC employees have participated in DASH, signaling a swell of interest in programs lie this that drive good health management."

Source: Boston University Medical Center