Decisions regarding investments in disease management and other similar programs are oftenhindered by the lack of evidence surrounding the impact of such efforts on policy relevant outcomes. Onesuch void in knowledge is the impact of such programs on labor market outcomes. We propose to conduct alongitudinal study to examine the impact of diabetes control (glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure control) onlabor market outcomes. Labor market outcomes include work disability, workforce participation, and workproductivity.Using comprehensive automated data systems (medical records, administrative, laboratory, andpharmacy data) available within a large multi-specialty nonprofit integrated health care delivery system insoutheast Michigan, we will identify a cohort of employed health plan members with diabetes. Theseindividuals will be interviewed at baseline and annually thereafter for three years. By using a 3-yearprospective cohort design and linking interview data with automated laboratory test results, we will be able toexplore the relationships between readily available clinical measures of diabetes control and labor marketoutcomes.
Our research aims are: 1) Evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between risk factor (i.e.,glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure) levels and work productivity (defined broadly to include average weeklyhours worked, work-loss days (absenteeism), health-related work limitations, and productivity while at work(presenteeism) at baseline.; 2) Investigate the longitudinal association between baseline risk factor levelsand changes in labor force participation, and changes in work productivity; 3) Estimate the effect of changesin risk factor levels on changes in labor force participation and changes in work productivity.By quantifying the effect of changes in blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure on changes inlabor market outcomes, this study will inform patients, families, employers, and decision makers about thelabor economic impact of successful diabetes management. The results of this research will not only informsocietal perspective evaluations of the cost-effectiveness of diabetes management programs, but also informemployers of the potential return on investment (ROI) from sponsoring such programs.
