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Background: The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services revamped its retail food establishment inspection program in 1998 to include, among other novel provisions, the prominent posting of grades. The purpose of the present study is to examine results from the second year of the revamped program to determine the longer-term impact of the program., Methods: An analysis of program results for Year 1 led to several program refinements: stratification of risk categories, certification of food handlers, and an external fraud hotline. Outcome measures used included routine inspection scores; closure rates; scores from owner-initiated inspections and departmentally initiated inspections; inspection frequencies; compliance with food handler certification requirements; and frequency of use of the external fraud hotline., Results: Inspection scores continued to increase in 1999, while the rate of closures decreased. The owner-initiated inspections also resulted in improved scores, generally maintained on subsequent inspections. Higher risk establishments were inspected more frequently than were lower risk establishments. Over 30,000 food handlers were certified. The external fraud hotline received 16 fraud complaints., Conclusions: Results indicate that retail food establishments are taking stronger action to assure compliance with food safety practices., (Copyright 2001 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.)

Introduction: This study examined the prevalence and demographic characteristics of chronic heavy drinkers, binge drinkers, those who report a problem with alcohol, and those at high risk for alcohol-related problems., Methods: The sample comprised a worksite population of 18,053 employees. The study was based on responses to questions contained in a confidential health profile administered to employees at seven companies by an outside vendor (Johnson & Johnson Health Management, Inc.)., Results: Almost 1 in 4 participants (23.0%) was found to be at risk for alcohol-related problems. About 1 in 5 respondents (20.1%) reported binging, 1 in 10 reported chronic heavy drinking (9.8%), and 2.6% reported a drinking problem within the past month. Younger respondents were more likely to report binging but older respondents were more likely to report chronic heavy drinking. Men were more than twice as likely to report binging and almost four times as likely to report chronic heavy drinking, but only one and one-half times as likely to report a drinking problem within the past month. Other differential demographic associations with alternative measures of heavy drinking are described., Conclusion: The results suggest that a health profile administered at the worksite can be an effective screening tool for identifying employees at high risk for alcohol-related problems.

As part of the National Worksite Health Promotion Survey, a representative sample of worksites across the United States with 50 or more employees was asked about the presence and types of activities they sponsor to promote smoking control. Smoking control activities were reported at 35.6% (CI 32.6-38.6) of all worksites. Among worksites with any smoking control activity 76.5% (CI 71.7-81.3) had a formal policy restricting smoking, 54.3% (CI 48.7-59.9) provided information about the harmful effects of smoking, and 49.6% (CI 44.4-54.8) made self-help materials available. Individual counseling, group classes, workshops, follow-up support and reinforcement, or special events were available at 38.3% (CI 32.9-43.7) of worksites with any smoking control activities. Frequency increased as worksite size increased, with large frequency differences between the smallest and largest worksites. Smoking policies were most often put into effect to protect the health of nonsmokers (39.1%, CI 32.1-46.1) or to comply with regulations or laws (38.2%, CI 32.2-44.2). The most frequently reported benefit to the worksite of smoking control activities was improved employee health (35%, CI 26.2-43.8). Benefits were considered to outweigh the cost of activities at 36% (CI 29.6-42.4) of worksites, although 41.7% (CI 34.7-48.7) said it was too soon to gauge the relative size of costs and benefits.

Drawing upon the epidemiological, clinical, and behavioral studies suggesting the importance and feasibility of multidisciplinary efforts to reduce levels of risk variables for cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, a short-term live-in intervention program was developed. The program includes efforts to reduce smoking, weight, blood lipids, blood pressure, and stress through improving habits of exercise, nutrition, weight management, and stress control delivered to individuals with varying levels of health risk based on measurable biochemical and physiological variables and medical history. Major changes occurred during the 24-day program in 459 individuals enrolled in the program: 68% of smokers ceased, average cholesterol fell from 240 to 200 mg%, ideal body weight fell from 134 to 129% (82 to 79 kg), systolic blood pressure (BP) fell from 131 to 119 mm Hg, diastolic BP fell from 81 to 73 mm Hg. and reported feelings of general well-being increased. Greater changes were observed in the high-risk groups. Follow-up results at 1 year (48% of patients reporting) for those defined as high risk were a net decrease of 22 mg% in cholesterol, 7 mm Hg in systolic BP, 6 mm Hg in diastolic BP, and 6.8% of ideal body weight; 45% of those smoking at admission were still not smoking at 1 year (32% reporting). For those at lower risk there was a general return of risk levels toward baseline values.