The components of your evaluation and measurement plan will vary depending on the size of your organization and on your benefit plan design, relationship with vendors, budget, resources and data available. Key metrics often include:¹⁶

• Participation numbers – can include onsite program attendance, enrollment in online programs, web site hits and interaction with health coaches
• Satisfaction of participants – this information can be gathered real time for onsite programs or by surveying targeted groups. You can also collect online feedback about specific programs and services
• Changes in personal health practices, skills and/or attitudes – typically self-report via surveys such as health risk assessments
• Clinical outcomes – using biometric measures (see below for a list of key metrics)
• Financial outcomes – using medical and pharmacy claims data, compare program participants against those eligible but not enrolled in the program (provides ability to track return on investment – ROI)
• Productivity – assessing absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover

Key Metrics for Clinical Outcomes 

• Hemoglobin A1c – this test tells about a person’s blood sugar level over the past 2 – 3 months; displayed as a percentage
• Body Mass Index – simple calculation using a person’s height and weight
• Waist Circumference – excess fat around the waist is associated with health problems such as type 2 diabetes
• LDL (low-density lipoprotein or "bad cholesterol")
• Blood Pressure – often comorbid condition of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

You can also measure your progress in creating a culture of health in your organization by assessing changes in the physical environment and your corporate culture.

Any individual-level measures should be collected anonymously and reported in aggregate, by a third party administrator if possible. This protects employee confidentiality.