Least Healthy Employees? Hospital Workers Ron Levine / Getty Images A new study from Truven Health Analytics, formerly the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters, reports hospital employees are less healthy than the general workforce and cost more in healthcare spending. The study looked at health risk and healthcare use among 740,000 hospital workers and their dependents in 2010 and compared them to 25 million general workforce employees and dependents. They found hospital employees are more likely to be diagnosed with chronic conditions like asthma, obesity, and depression and were 5% more likely hospitalized. These workers spent 9% more in healthcare costs than the general workforce. (MORE: Is Your Doctor Burned Out? Nearly Half of U.S. Physicians Say They're Exhausted) Previous studies have documented the unhealthy habits of healthcare workers, including their relatively poor eating habits. The current study shows that even rates of preventative screening, one of the best ways to avoid disease and lower overall healthcare costs, were lower among healthcare employees. They were consistently less likely to undergo cholesterol testing and breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening. The findings may seem unexpected, but the study authors weren't surprised. "Although we can't say for certain, some theories are that hospital workers are very much involved in patient care and sometimes at the expense of themselves," says study co-author Dr. Mike Taylor, vice president and national business medical leader for Turven Health Analytics. They may go to the ER more often than they see their primary doctor, or they have a good professional relationship with the doctors on staff, but do not want to see them for personal reasons. The authors also speculate that hospital workers may feel they have enough knowledge to improve their own health without seeking outside help. MORE: TIME's Mobile Tech Issue: Better Care Delivered by iPad, M.D. Additionally, the study found that caring for healthcare employees is expensive. Health benefits eat up 4% of hospital operating revenue, and the average medium-sized hospital could see as much as 68% of operating profit siphoned off to pay for healthcare benefits for employees and families. They report that a hospital or health system with an average of 16,000 employees could save about $1.59 million a year in medical and pharmacy spending for every 1% decrease in health risk. The paper outlined 10 strategies for reducing health risk including identifying whether certain groups of workers are more prone to certain health problems, and targeting screening or treatment programs for them; modifying current health programs and incentives to promote healthier behavior; and providing more objective ways of measuring health and healthy outcomes among employees. Ideally, the healthcare workforce would be a model for healthy behaviors and the appropriate use of medical resources. Hospitals that tackle this issue can strengthen their business performance and community service," concluded study author Dr. Raymond Fabius, chief medical officer for Truven Health. Taylor says large, general market employers have already taken up corporate wellness programs but hospitals are just beginning to get involved. Still, it's an important first step. "As hospitals get engaged in wellness programs for a longer duration, we can see improvements," he says. Read a full copy of the study here [PDF]. MORE: Physicians Groups Call for Fewer Tests for Patients