Health-related Programs

It is important for the overall workplace health program to contain a combination of individual and organizational level strategies and interventions to influence health, including:

• Health-related ProgramsOpportunities available to employees at the workplace or through outside organizations to start, change, or maintain health behaviors. Programs and services can be 1) Informational approaches – directed at changing knowledge or attitudes about the benefits of and opportunities for healthy lifestyles or 2) Behavior or social approaches – designed to teach employees the behavioral management skills necessary for successful adaptation and maintenance of behavior change. – opportunities available to employees at the workplace or through outside organizations to begin, change or maintain health behaviors

Health topics addressed

Health Behaviors	Health Screening	Mental Health	Injury	Adult Immunization
Alcohol & Substance Misuse Nutrition Physical Activity Tobacco Use	Blood Pressure Obesity (BMI) Cancer - Breast Cancer - Cervical Cancer - Colorectal Cholesterol Type 2 Diabetes	Depression	Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders & Ergonomics	Influenza & Pneumococcal

 

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Programs and services can be:

• Informational approaches – directed at changing knowledge or attitudes about the benefits of and opportunities for healthy lifestyles
• Behavior or social approaches – designed to teach employees the behavioral management skills necessary for successful adoption and maintenance of behavior change

Examples of workplace health programs and services might include:

• Classes or seminars on health topics such as fitness, nutrition, tobacco cessation, or stress management
• Weight loss programs that offer counseling and education
• Exercise classes
• Ergonomic assessments and equipment
• On-site influenza vaccines
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
• Chronic disease self-management tools
• Emails or newsletters with health information

Workplace health programs are not add-on benefits but basic investments in human capital, similar to training, mentoring, and other employee development programs.

Regardless of which interventions are selected, the program should strive to:  

• Use multiple interventions, such as combining a policy and a health benefit intervention, for a single health issue.  Combinations are more effective than any one intervention alone
• Use interventions that address multiple health issues at the same time, which is more effective than addressing each single health issue separately