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Overview

Sigma has been nationally recognized for developing and integrating complete programs for wellness initiatives within law enforcement, first responders, corporations, municipalities and other high-risk clinical populations. The Sigma Program offers on-site support and health/nutritional programming with minimal interference to normal daily operation.

Law-enforcement is incredibly stressful and the current health culture is, in some cases, non-existent. Additionally, the tests offered to law-enforcement do not have the diagnostic capabilities to isolate high risk individuals and/or provide a quality system of cardiac screening low-risk individuals before they become critical.

Scope of Issue

There is absolutely no question that the number one killer of active and retired law enforcement officers is heart disease. The average age of a police officer suffering a heart attack is 49 years old and the life expectancy of men and women in uniform is more than 20 years less than the general population. Published data shows that, between the ages of 55 and 60, the chance of a civilian dying from a heart attack is 1.6%. However, within populations of police officers, it is 56%. Through our aggressive preventative screening strategies, we have documented over 50% of officers tested were found to have the early stages of blockage formation. Early, pre-clinical heart disease markers were detected in otherwise fit appearing men and women as early as age 30. It should be noted that standard risk analysis (most commonly found in Insurance-based wellness programs) does not identify those at increased risk as it only identifies those with high cholesterol, not those who have already begun to develop plaque. Oftentimes this can result in catastrophic misdiagnosis of patients at elevated levels of risk.

Police officers suffer from obesity, diabetes and hypertension at rates that are much higher than their civilian counterparts. National statistical data shows that the obesity rate for police officers is 48% which is 8% higher than what is seen in the civilian sector. The rampant obesity epidemic creates concomitant diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, and significant musculoskeletal issues such as chronic back, knee, and hip pain.

Our Approach

Sigma Tactical Wellness has developed a comprehensive cardiac screening evaluation along with personalized exercise and nutrition recommendations. The screening consists of non-invasive imaging as well as advanced lipid panel. Our proprietary lipid panel goes far deeper than just looking at cholesterol alone. We evaluate the early stages of the development of coronary disease and highlight the inflammatory markers used to predict the development of a heart attack. We then perform a cardiopulmonary exercise stress test on a stationary bicycle. This test measures functional capacity, the presence of any ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart muscle) and allows us to use indirect calorimetry (looking at carbohydrate and fat usage at a variety of intensities) to develop a personalized diet and exercise component given to the officer at the time of physician consultation.

Costs and Predicted ROI

For a population of 100 police officers, based on our observed statistics, about 50 will have evidence of coronary artery disease, 40-80 will be clinically obese and approximately 30 will have evidence of undiagnosed hypertension and or diabetes.

If assuming only 10% of the 50 officers with detected blockages will progress to develop a heart attack within 5 years (low estimate) total cost to the tax payers ranges between $2 million to $3.75 million dollars. Currently, the costs of an on- or off-duty heart attack range from $400,000 to $750,000.

If the cost of untreated obesity is factored into the five-year cost, there is an additional $1.22 million associated with overall health care, workmans’ compensation, and disability cost.

Aside from the obvious cost-savings inherent in cardiovascular prevention, we have documented a 28% reduction in body fat percentage in overweight individuals, and a 29% reduction in body fat percentage in obese individuals (as much as 40lbs weight loss in some cases within compliant individuals) within the first 12 months of program adherence. Based upon calculations from the 2019 Society of Actuaries, that is a potential cost savings of $565,000 dollars (pop. size = 100). Assuming only 10% of documented average loss in body weight for a following 5 years would result in $1.43 million reduced health care expenditures.

Total Cost Savings (100 officers)
$8.4 millon over 5 years

Substantial Benefits

These changes in basic health certainly have a positive effect on performance, productivity, and community interaction. While it is difficult to put a dollar value on these items, we have noted other substantial benefits and health savings. In conjunction with reduced health insurance-related expense, we have documented a reduction in worker’s compensation claims over the course of the last 5 years (Colorado Inter-Governmental Risk Sharing Agency [CIRSA] – Denver CO). This can be attributed directly to improvements in situational awareness, reductions in fatigue (specifically between day/night shift transition), and reduction in need for over-counter stimulants to maintain focus.

Lastly, it is critical to note that one indirect result of Sigma Wellness participation, which still permeates through populations of participants is the rate of successful tobacco and alcohol cessation. According to Sigma Wellness data, 91% of smokers and nearly 98% of over-consumers of alcohol significantly reduced their usage or quit altogether. Because “compliance” is determined from reduction in cardiovascular risk factor, BMI, and body composition, it may not adequately reflect the reduction in risk-stratification resulting from these types of behavioral modifications, but should be considered when evaluating overall program effectiveness.

Learn about our implementation, screening and program.

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Sigma began with the desire to create efficient avenues for members of public safety seeking a greater measure of health and performance from their daily lives. Today, we have served more than 6,500 officers and 500 corporate individuals in the United States.

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