Eighty percent of large U.S. companies this year are offering chronic disease management programs for workers in an effort to reduce health care costs, up from 51% last year, according to a new survey by Hewitt Associates, the Houston Chronicle reports. Hewitt surveyed 343 large companies and found that more employers are targeting costly chronic diseases -- such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and depression -- rather than workers' eating or exercise habits. Hewitt estimates that a company with 9,500 workers and 500 retirees younger than age 65 spends between $18 million to $22 million on health care just for those with diabetes.

The survey found that companies are targeting chronic conditions by offering employees personal health coaches, on-site health clinics and copayment waivers for needed medications. According to the Chronicle, results among companies vary, but those that have had success in persuading employees to lead healthier lifestyles report spending 10% to 30% less per year on medical care after two to five years (Sixel, Houston Chronicle, 4/2).

Additional information about the survey is available online.