![]() Both Hispanics and African Americans in the intervention area are 2.5 times more likely than whites to die from diabetes ( 3). In addition, racial/ethnic health disparities are documented in the intervention area African Americans have higher death rates from heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes than do whites. Overall, 21% of the adult Steps to a Healthier Austin population smoke cigarettes, 26% report no leisure-time physical activity, and only 25% meet the minimum recommended daily consumption of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables (unpublished Steps to a Healthier Austin Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data). An estimated 12% of adults have been diagnosed with asthma, 7% have been diagnosed with diabetes, 55% are overweight, and 26% are obese. The intervention area population also has higher rates of chronic disease compared with the rest of Travis County. In 2003, the median household income in the intervention area was $37,424, approximately 40% lower than in other parts of Travis County, and the death rate was 22% higher ( 3). This area has a population of 460,041, of which 41% are Hispanic and 14% are African American ( 2). ![]() The Steps to a Healthier Austin intervention area includes 20 contiguous zip codes that encompass the eastern half of the city of Austin and Travis County. Steps to a Healthier Austin is a community-based program, funded by a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, designed to reduce diabetes, asthma, and obesity by improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, and decreasing tobacco use. ![]() Health & Lifestyles created and has been managing the Capital Metro worksite wellness program since its inception in January 2003. This company provides comprehensive worksite wellness solutions for employers by using evidence-based programs and practices. Because of the rapidly increasing costs of health care and absenteeism, part of Capital Metro's response was to begin an employee wellness program in 2003.Ĭapital Metro delivers its wellness programs through Health & Lifestyles Corporate Wellness, Inc (Health & Lifestyles), a private company based in Austin. ![]() Unscheduled absenteeism requires companies to hire last-minute temporary staff and to pay additional overtime, which contributes to a higher overall labor cost. Absenteeism costs in 2001 were almost $2 million, and by 2004 they had risen to almost $2.3 million - an increase of almost 15% in only 3 years - during which time the size of the workforce remained fairly static ( 1). Essentially, an employee with a chronic disease incurred expenses 2 to 3 times higher than an employee without a chronic disease.Ībsenteeism also greatly increased during the early 2000s. In 2007, the average medical plan cost for employees with diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol was $3,454 per month. Health care costs at Capital Metro are higher for certain people. From 2003 to 2004, health care costs increased to $13.4 million (a 26.4% increase). By becoming self-insured, Capital Metro was able not only to know exactly what it spent annually on health insurance but also to gain more control over these expenses. In 2003, Capital Metro became a self-insured company. ![]() Keeling, written communication, October 2008). Before 2003, Capital Metro's group insurance premiums increased by 40% or more annually (V. The organization, with a small workforce, serves a sizeable number of residents (approximately 738,000) in the growing city of Austin ( 1).Īs with many American companies, health care costs reached record levels for Capital Metro in 2003 - almost $10.6 million. Approximately half (668) of the permanent employees are bus operators. This organization, established in 1985, has 1,282 permanent employees and 250 contract employees. Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro) provides public transportation services to the city of Austin, Texas. ![]()
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