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Increasing Evidence-Based Workplace Health Promotion Best Practices in Small and Low-Wage Companies, Mason County, Washington, 2009
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Apr 05 2012
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Source: Prev Chronic Dis. 2012; 9.
[PDF-244.73 KB]
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Alternative Title:Prev Chronic Dis
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Description:Introduction
Modifiable health risk behaviors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, and tobacco use are linked to the most common chronic diseases, and chronic diseases contribute to 70% of deaths in the United States. Health risk behaviors can be reduced by helping small workplaces implement evidence-based workplace health promotion programs. The American Cancer Society's Health Links is a workplace health promotion program that targets 3 modifiable health risk behaviors: physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, and tobacco use. We evaluated employers' implementation of Health Links in small workplaces.
Methods
We targeted Mason County, Washington, a rural low-income community with elevated obesity and smoking rates. We conducted baseline assessments of workplaces' implementation of program, policy, and communication best practices targeting the health risk behaviors. We offered tailored recommendations of best practices to improve priority health behaviors and helped workplaces implement Health Links. At 6 months postintervention, we assessed changes in best practices implementation and employers' attitude about Health Links.
Results
Twenty-three workplaces participated in the program. From baseline to follow-up, we observed significant increases in the implementation of physical activity programs (29% to 51%, P = .02), health behavior policy (40% to 46%, P = .047), and health information communication (40% to 81%, P = .001). Employers favorably rated Health Links' appeal, relevance, and future utility.
Conclusion
When offered resources and support, small and low-wage workplaces increased implementation of evidence-based workplace health promotion best practices designed to reduce modifiable health risk behaviors associated with chronic diseases. Results also suggest that Health Links might be a sustainable program for small workplaces with limited resources.
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Pubmed ID:22480612
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC3396550
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