C3 - Sample Report

CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard
Sample Benchmark Report for a ScoreCard Completed in 2013
The following is an example of the benchmark report that will be generated when you submit a CDC Worksite Health
ScoreCard (HSC). This report provides a score for each worksite for the year in which the scorecard was submitted (the
current year). This score is benchmarked against each worksite’s score from the prior year and against scores from the
prior year for other worksites for the same employer. It is also benchmarked against scores from the prior year for all
worksites of the same size and all worksite scorecards submitted to CDC, regardless of employer affiliation or size.

How to Read This Benchmark Report
What do the points mean?
The scoring system used for the CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard (HSC) was developed to assess the relative impact of
proven health promotion strategies. Each strategy used in the HSC was assigned a weighted score based on an expert
panel’s assessment of each strategy’s evidence base and impact level. Each question on the HSC survey was assigned a
point value from 1 to 3 (1 = good, 2 = better, 3 = best). This point value reflects the level of impact that the strategy has
on the intended health behaviors or outcomes and the strength of the scientific evidence supporting this impact. For
example, materials such as brochures that are intended to build awareness (1 point) will have less of an impact on

employee health than lifestyle counseling or self-management programs (3 points). For more information about the
evidence and impact rating system used in the HSC, see The CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard Scoring Methodology:
Evidence and Impact Ratings and Supporting Citations at
http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/pubs/docs/HSC_Score_Method.pdf.

How are points calculated?
Your completed HSC generates two scores—a total HSC score and individual scores for each of the 15 topics that are
scored (Community Resources is not scored). The total HSC score is calculated by adding the point values of all of the
questions to which you responded YES. Individual topic scores are calculated by adding the point values of all of the
questions to which you responded YES in a particular section (e.g., Organizational Supports). A higher score (for all
scores combined or for an individual topic) indicates that you have more strategies in place, that you are using a higher
percentage of high-impact strategies (i.e., those with a higher-weighted score), or both.
Why does the report compare current scores against averages from prior years?
The HSC generates benchmarking data by comparing the scores for your worksite to the scores for other worksites in the
HSC database. To allow the system to benchmark your scores against the maximum number of worksites possible, it
uses all HSC submissions from the prior year, rather than submissions from only a portion of the calendar year.
What is the meaning of each report column?
• Topic — a category of questions in the HSC. Questions about public health strategies and interventions are grouped
under 16 topics (e.g., Nutrition, Physical Activities, Lactation Support).
• Total Points Possible — represents the maximum number of points available when the scores for each question are
added together for each individual topic; an overall total is also calculated by adding all individual topic scores
together.
• 2012 Score — represents the actual number of points for each topic when the scores for each question are added
together; an overall total is also calculated by adding all individual topic scores together. The data in this column are
for individual worksites that submitted an HSC during January 1–December 31, 2012.
• 2013 Score — represents the actual number of points for each topic when the scores for each question are added
together; an overall total is also calculated by adding all individual topic scores together. The data in this column are
for individual worksites that submitted an HSC during January 1–December 31, 2013. A green arrow represents a
higher score from the prior year. A red arrow represents a lower score from the prior year. If no arrow is shown, it
means no change from the prior year.
• All Worksites for Widgets, Inc. — represents the average score for each topic and for all topics combined for all
worksites that submitted an HSC for your organization (e.g., Widgets, Inc.) during January 1–December 31, 2012.

(Note that this column does not display unless your organization had at least three worksites participating in 2012.)
The report shows the scores for the Any Town Office Park which is one individual worksite for Widgets, Inc.
• Small Worksites (100–249 employees) — represents the average score for each topic and for all topics combined
for all small worksites (100–249 employees) that submitted an HSC during January 1–December 31, 2012.
• All Worksites — represents the average score for each topic and for all topics combined for all worksites, regardless
of size, that submitted an HSC during January 1–December 31, 2012.