Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile and Readiness to Change in Blue- and White-Collar Workers Kerith D. Aginsky, PhD; Demitri Constantinou, MBBCH; Maretha Delport, MSc; Estelle D. Watson, PhD This study provides a health and risk profile of blue- (BCWs) and white-collar workers (WCWs). Health screening data (n = 603; age 38.2 ± 9.7 years) included cholesterol and glucose finger-prick test, blood pressure, body mass index, and self-reported stress levels and readiness to change. Blue-collar workers were significantly older and had higher blood pressure readings and were more likely to develop hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-2.81; P = .03), but less likely to present with hypercholesterolemia (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.31-0.81; P = .01) and overweight/obesity (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42-0.99; P = .047). White-collar workers showed significantly higher cholesterol and stress levels. This study highlights the importance of occupation type in workplace health screening and intervention planning. Key words: blue collar, corporate wellness, health promotion, health risk, white collar N ONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDs) are a worldwide health issue and economic burden to both low- to middle- and high-income countries. 1 Death and disability from NCDs have overtaken the burden of communicable diseases in recent years, with the prevalence rates estimated at 49%, compared with 40% for communicable diseases. 2,3 This heterogeneous group of condi- tions includes, among others, cardiovascular dis- eases (CVDs), cancers, chronic lung conditions, and type II diabetes mellitus. 4 These diseases of lifestyle are responsible for approximately 60% of all deaths in high-income countries, 5 and 50% in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). 3 However, the rate of increase of NCDs appears to be more rapid in LMICs, and South Africa is no exception. Non- communicable diseases in South Africa are esti- mated to be responsible for 37% of all deaths, 6 and Mayosi et al 7 have shown that this rate is increasing in both rural and urban areas and is set to rise even further in the future. Author Affiliations: Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sci- ences, University of the Witwatersrand (Dr Aginsky, Mr Constanti- nou, and Dr Watson), and EOH Workplace Health and Wellness (Ms Delport), Johannesburg, South Africa. The authors thank Bianca Leisher, Chantelle Naude, and Yolandi Du Plessis for their assistance in preparing the data set. Competing interests: None. Correspondence: Kerith D. Aginsky, PhD, Centre for Exercise Sci- ence and Sports Medicine, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Fac- ulty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannes- burg, South Africa (kerithaginsky@gmail.com). Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000148 Cardiovascular disease is responsible for much of the NCD burden. The mortality rate for CVD in LMICs is on the rise and has even been labeled an “impending epidemic.” 1,8 It is estimated that by 2020, CVD will be the largest cause of disease burden worldwide. 9 Many of the risk factors asso- ciated with CVD, such as smoking, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, prediabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle, are modifable through lifestyle interventions. 10 For example, smoking is estimated to be responsible for 22% of CVDs, while obesity (15%) and high cholesterol (12%) signifcantly con- tribute to the burden of disease. 4,9 On the contrary, a healthy lifestyle that encompasses a healthy diet, physical activity, not smoking and drinking alco- hol in moderation can decrease these risks by up to 75%. 11 The associated health and societal costs of these diseases have made prevention a global public health priority. 1,12 Therefore, it is unsurprising that the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Ac- tion plan calls for an increase in surveillance and monitoring of NCDs worldwide. 13 Worksite health risk assessments (eg, health screening) is a useful method for surveillance of NCDs and their risk factors. These assessments can identify at-risk populations and may pre- cede interventions aimed at improving lifestyles, both of which are crucial for improving long-term outcomes. 14 These programs have been shown to re- duce the prevalence of chronic disease 15,16 as well as increase productivity and decrease absenteeism. 17,18 In South Africa, Lategan et al 19 found a 25% re- duction in CVD risk factors in a 4-year corporate wellness program. In addition, these health risk assessments have the potential to empower indi- viduals and companies to collectively prevent risky lifestyle behaviors. 20 Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. 236 Family and Community Health July–September 2017 ■ Volume 40 ■ Number 3