Worksite wellness program for respiratory disease prevention in heavy-construction workers.

Abstract

To describe a respiratory disease prevention program in a US heavy-construction company. The program uses periodic spirometry and questionnaires and is integrated into a worksite wellness program involving individualized intervention. Spirometry Longitudinal Data Analysis (SPIROLA) technology is used to assist the physician with (i) management and evaluation of longitudinal spirometry and questionnaire data; (ii) designing, recoding, and implementing intervention; and (iii) evaluation of impact of the intervention. Preintervention data provide benchmark results. Preintervention results on 1224 workers with 5 or more years of follow-up showed that the mean rate of FEV1 decline was 47 mL/year. Age-stratified prevalence of moderate airflow obstruction was higher than that for the US population. Preintervention results indicate the need for respiratory disease prevention in this construction workforce and provide a benchmark for future evaluation of the intervention.