Assessment of the economic efficiency of preventive measures targeted at reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the workforce

Introduction. This article presents a model for assessing the economic effectiveness of preventive programs implemented in the workplace and reducing the risk of illness among employees; we chose cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) for the purposes of exemplifying our model. The purpose of the study is to develop a financial model (calculator) for assessing the cost-effectiveness of expenditures on preventive programs and on ergonomic interventions aimed at reducing the risk of CVDs among employees. Materials and methods. The model is based on the methodology of cost-benefit analysis, which allows comparing the costs of a preventive measure with the benefits of its implementation. The costs include expenses on equipment and labour involved in installing and deploying this equipment, while the benefits refer to savings on costs that the employer would otherwise have to bear as a consequence of having his employees fall ill. Results. The model obtained allows users comparing different ways in which these preventive programs may be implemented, as well as individual measures aimed at modifying different risk factors for the same disease. Although this study is limited to CVDs, the proposed model can be used to evaluate the economic effectiveness of preventive programs aimed at reducing the risk of disability caused by other diseases. Research limitations. The assumptions of the model impose several limitations on the obtained estimates: cases in which employees continue to work while sick are not considered, and it is assumed that the decrease in the incidence of illnesses as a result of intervention remains constant during the programs implementation period. Conclusion. The model can be used as a tool to substantiate any decisions made in the matters of choosing whether to implement a preventive program aimed at reducing the risk of morbidity of enterprise employees; the model can also serve as a tool that can be used to calculate which of the preventive options available is likely to lead to the most desirable outcome.