Metabolic Syndrome
One major component of the initiative is a program focused on “Metabolic Syndrome” as the cornerstone of the intervention model. The overall purpose of the program is to alter the metabolic status of a working-age population, that either has metabolic syndrome, has conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, or is at risk to develop these conditions (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.The Metabolic Syndrome project has three components:
1. Improving the knowledge and care of area physicians for patients with metabolic syndrome and its associated disorders, based on the national guidelines for diabetes care of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA);
2. Enhancing the health awareness and consumer behaviors of working adults with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia, both in terms of their own health habits and in terms of their expectations of care from their health providers;
3. Conducting a major health assessment of randomly selected members of the working population with metabolic syndrome to determine the characteristics and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this group of people, and to assess whether the interventions improve the health status of this group.
This is predicted to be a four year project that will include annual interventions and assessments of the cohorts enrolled in the project annually.
Current status: over 1000 employees have been screened and educated on their health status. Follow-up screening is in progress. Data is being analyzed and will be presented at several medical conferences in 2008.
