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The United Storeworker's Health and Security Plan at several New York City department stores funds a comprehensive, on-site treatment program for members with high blood pressure (HBP). The active participation of union personnel in the program's operation gives members confidence in the project and reinforces their motivation to stay on treatment. The program involves frequent and positive interaction between members and leaders, which has strengthened union cohesiveness.
The Storeworkers became interested in HBP control in 1973. Physicians from Cornell University Medical School convinced leadership that a worksite HBP control program could improve employee health and save money for the union's self-insured health plan. With Cornell specialists organizing the project's medical aspects, the Storeworkers agreed to participate on a trial basis. Government and foundation grants provided the initial funding, and the Storeworkers Union agreed to assume responsibility for further funding, if the project proved successful. Success would be determined by adequate blood pressure control, reduction in health care costs to the union, and acceptance by the union membership.
When the union presented the idea to Gimbel's and Bfoomingdale's department stores, management endorsed the project and allowed initial screenings to be held during working hours. Prior to screening, the Storeworkers began educating its members about HBP at union meetings and in its newspaper. To avoid bottlenecks, a timetable providing a designated period for screening for each department was worked out with management's cooperation. No employee missed more than 15 minutes of work, an important factor to both employees and supervisors. Education began at the screening sessions and continued throughout all phases of the program. At the screening, the employee received a wallet card that recorded all appointments, blood pressure readings and medication; the employee could use this card to monitor his progress toward blood pressure control.
The screening results revealed that many members who required treatment had been going to doctors with some regularity...