Preventing Diabetes in the Workplace: Effects of Coaching and Monetary Incentives

J Occup Environ Med. 2019 Jul;61(7):e308-e311. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001611.

Abstract

Objective: Prevention of diabetes demonstrated in the diabetes prevention program has not been thoroughly evaluated in workplace settings.

Methods: Glycemic control was assessed by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and its impact on 5-year incidence of diabetes and prediabetes prevalence, in wellness program participants (WPP) of (Group A, with) or (Group B, without) health coaching and monetary incentives.

Results: HbA1c fell in Group A WPP (5.52 ± 0.60 vs 5.58 ± 0.36 SD, P = 0.04) as did prediabetes. Incident diabetes was less than expected (24 vs 74, P < 0.001). HbA1c increased in Group B WPP (5.37 ± 0.40 SD vs 5.58 ± 0.54, P < 0.001) and prediabetes increased from 28 to 36 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Health coaching and monetary incentives improved glycemic control over 5 years, an improvement not observed in WPP without these interventions.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / prevention & control*
  • Employee Incentive Plans*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Mentoring / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / blood
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Occupational Health Services / methods*
  • Prediabetic State / blood
  • Prediabetic State / diagnosis
  • Prediabetic State / epidemiology
  • Prediabetic State / prevention & control*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • hemoglobin A1c protein, human