RTC:Rural Rural Institute University of Montana

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Research Progress Report #24

description of table 1

Participation in a Health Promotion Program: Potential Impacts on Employment. This table presents three case studies. Case 1: A 39 year old female with a high school education who experiences moderate disability reports an average of 14 days of limitation due to secondary conditions (out of 30). She currently does not exercise. Before participation in a health promotion program, her baseline probability of employment is .476. She is not employed. After participation in a health promotion program, the participant reduces days of limitation by 3.5 days and begins an exercise program. This reflects a 4.5 percentage point increase in probability for employment from reduced limitation due to secondary conditions and an 8.4 percentage point increase for starting a regular exercise program. Converting 4.5 and 8.4 percentage points back to probabilities, the post-intervention probability is .476 + .045 + .084 = .605. The probability is that she is now employed.

Case 2: A 49 year old male with a college education who experiences significant disability reports an average of 22 days of limitation due to secondary conditions (out of 30). He currently does not exercise. Before participation in a health promotion program, his baseline probability of employment is .165. He is not employed. After participation in a health promotion program, the participant reduces limitation by 5.5 days and begins an exercise program. This reflects a 7.2 percentage point increase in probability for employment from reduced limitation due to secondary conditions and an 8.4 percentage point increase for participating in a regular exercise program. Converting 7.2 and 8.4 percentage points back to probabilities the post-intervention probability is .165 + .072 + .084 = .321.  The probability is that he is still not employed.

Case 3: A 41 year old male with a high school education who experiences moderate disabilities reports an average of 6 days of limitation due to secondary conditions (out of 30). He currently exercises. Before participation in a health promotion program, his baseline probability of employment is .682. He is employed. After participation in a health promotion program, the participant reduces limitation by 1.5 days. This reflects a 2.0 percentage point increase in probability for employment from reduced limitation due to secondary conditions. Converting 2.0 percentage points back to probabilities the post-intervention probability is .682 + .02 = .684. The probability is that he is still employed.

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