Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Worksite Health Promotion Program

This paper published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health discusses the implementation and results of a three-year comprehensive worksite health promotion program called Take care of your health! in a financial organization in Quebec. The purpose of the program was to provide employees with information and support for risk factor reduction, using a personalized approach and involving the organization’s management as participants and promoters.

The program consisted of six modules: global health, stress management, heart health (physiological measurements like blood pressure and cholesterol were screened), healthy eating and physical activity. Each module had 3 components: a 1.5 to 2 hour educational session; a personalized health status profile based on the self-administered health assessments which were then sent to employees; finally, employees had the choice of having a follow-up interview with a nurse to discuss their risk profile.

Employee participation rates in the six modules varied between 39% and 76% (taking into consideration the company grew while the program was being implemented). Participants in the program reported engaging in physical activity at least 5 days or more per week. Participants also reported better nutritional practices. The proportion of smokers among program participants was also reduced from 27% to 20%. There was also a significant reduction in experiences of high stress levels outside the workplace, stress signs, and feelings of depression. Of all the participants, 91% indicated they had participated in the stress module, 88.8% in the heart health module, 88.2% in the healthy eating module and 90.5% in the physical activity module. Ninety percent of questionnaire respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the module was clear and informative. Most respondents said that the program had had positive impacts on their health knowledge and ability to manage their health.

Employees perceived the program to have had positive impacts on the work environment, and that management had implemented activities supportive of employee health. Managers participated in the program, and activities and environmental modifications were introduced that went beyond the educational component. For example, staff-organized physical activity and relaxation sessions, a Weight Watchers group, modifications to stairwells to encourage their use, and promotion of bicycle use through improved and more secure bicycle racks and access to lockers and showers for bicycle users.

Programs that include environmental modifications are more effective. As well, when programs are carried out on the worksite in accessible locations, on company time and take employees’ schedules into account it improves employee participation.  

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Posted by: suhujitha on 2009-02-11 11:37:57

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