Assessing the burden of disease among an employed population: implications for employer-sponsored prevention programs

Escalating healthcare costs have led employers to identify ways to assess the actual burden of disease among their employees. One such measure is the use of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). DALYs were calculated for the General Motors (GM) population for 1994 through 1998 using data from GM's Mortality Registry, published life tables, and age- and sex-specific disease incidence and disability data from the U.S. Burden of Disease Study. Chronic diseases accounted for 45% (245,844 of 540,450) of total DALYs lost. Ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease led the list for both men and women and accounted for 39% and 31%, respectively, of the top 10 DALYs lost. Disease burden among employees could be reduced through targeted interventions aimed at the risk factors associated with the leading causes of DALYs.