An experimental evaluation of an incentive program to reduce serum cholesterol levels among health fair participants

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Abstract
To evaluate the impact of a health fair and incentive program on the reduction of serum cholesterol levels among participants. Pretest-posttest control group design, with a 6-month delay between pretest and posttest screenings. Health fair program for employees of a large midwestern school district. Volunteer sample among persons with serum cholesterol levels above 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg/dL). Participants were randomly assigned to experimental (N = 29) and comparison groups (N = 34). The intervention consisted of four components: a health fair, health risk information, announcement of follow-up screening, and an incentive program. The incentive program consisted of five $100 cash prizes for reducing serum cholesterol levels by 20% or below 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg/dL). The comparison group received only the first three components. Serum cholesterol levels were measured by a venipuncture, nonfasting, chemical analysis process. The experimental group showed a 13.2% reduction in serum cholesterol levels, and the comparison group exhibited an 11.3% reduction (P < .05). A health fair, consisting of information on the level of risk and how to reduce risk, and announcement of follow-up screening and incentives can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.

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