Continuing Education in Workforce Health Promotion

photo of people in class There are many opportunities for those who want to expand their skills and knowledge in workforce health promotion (WHP) topics such as employee wellness, fitness, health benefits, and productivity. Continuing education includes certifications, mechanisms to maintain certifications, seminars, workshops, conferences, and annual meetings. Continuing education opportunities in WHP are offered by a broad range of organizations and agencies, including those related to public health, human resources/benefits, productivity, health promotion, and sports medicine. The topics range from specific technical skills for staff level employees, to very broad knowledge on WHP issues and best practices for senior level employees. Employees who work in WHP planning, work site fitness centers, and benefits management will find continuing education opportunities in the information below.

The Internet contains an unlimited amount of health information and this list is not intended to be exhaustive but rather a place to start. Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links to .com Web sites are not included. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the federal government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of Web pages found at non-federal links.

Certifications and Certification Maintenance
Seminars and Workshops
Conferences and Annual Meetings
Other Organizations

Eligibility and Cost information

The following explains how the different services and costs are coded.

M = portions may be available to members only
D = discounts offered for members, students, early-bird registration
$ = < $249
$$ = $250–699
$$$ = > $700

Certifications and Certification Maintenance

Work Site Fitness & Wellness

American College of Sports Medicine
Certification in personal training and health and fitness instruction. $ (D)
Cooper Institute
The Cooper Institute ELITE Certification includes courses for fitness and wellness practitioners. Topics include group exercise, physical fitness, dietary guidance, and coaching healthy behaviors. $$

Work Site Health Promotion

Cooper Institute
The Cooper Institute ELITE Certification includes a course for health promotion directors. $$
Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA)
Offers training about designing and delivering effective work site wellness programs. $$$

Health Education and Communication

American Public Health Association
Continuing Education offered to public health workers in government agencies, non-governmental agencies, clinical practice, academia, and industry. CEI and CEU offered at annual meetings. Cost information not available.
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing
Offers Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) testing and continuing education to maintain CHES status. $ (D)
Society of Public Health Education
Offers CHES credits via SOPHE publications, and health communication training via CDCynergy. $ (D)

Seminars and Workshops

Work Site Fitness and Wellness

American College of Sports Medicine
The Annual Health and Fitness Summit and Exposition features information about the latest practices, standards, guidelines, and applications of sports medicine research; includes Work Site Health Promotion track. $$ (D)

Work Site Health Promotion

Cooper Institute
Preventive Medicine and Wellness Lecture Series. $
Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA)
WELCOA provides a list of keynote speeches and seminars on strategies for developing work site wellness programs. $$$
WorldatWork
Offers three work-life effectiveness courses as part of the WorldatWork Society of Certified Professionals program. $$$ (D)

Policy and Best Practices

National Business Group on Health
Webinars and Solutions Seminars about the latest innovations in products and services to improve how benefits are delivered and administered, the latest updates in health care policy and how to prepare for the work force of the future. $ (M)

Conferences and Annual Meetings

Work Site Fitness and Wellness

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Annual conference for professionals involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, health promotion, and education. $$ (D)
American College of Sports Medicine
- Annual Meeting
  Annual conference about latest research findings in the area of sports medicine. $$(D)
- Health and Fitness Summit and Exposition
  Annual conference about the changing practices, standards, guidelines, and applications of sports medicine research; includes Work Site Health Promotion track. $$(D)

Work Site Health Promotion

American Journal of Health Promotion
The Annual Art and Science of Health Promotion Conference focuses on health promotion strategies, including worksite-specific strategies. $$ (D)
Cooper Institute
This annual conference focuses on current research and trends in physical activity and public health. $/$$(D)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Offers conferences on wide range of topics related to employee health. $/$$
National Wellness Institute
The National Wellness Conference is designed for health promotion wellness professionals and includes work site wellness track. $/$$ (D)
Steps to a Healthier US
The National Prevention Summit focuses on chronic disease prevention and health promotion. Workshop sessions address topics on "healthier places," including worksites. $
University of Michigan Health Management Research Center
The annual Wellness in the Workplace Conference features presentations by researchers and program directors in worksite health promotion. $

Health Education and Communication

Society for Public Health Education
Annual meeting and summit on health education research. Includes work site specific topics. $$(D)

Policy and Best Practices

National Business Coalition on Health
Annual conference on health care services strategy. $$ (D)
American Public Health Association
Annual meeting featuring exchange of knowledge, information on best practices, latest research, and new products. Includes sessions on work site health promotion. $/$$ (D)
Institute for Health and Productivity Management
- Health Management Conference
  This annual conference is dedicated to examining employee benefits and integrated health management from a strategic business perspective. $$/$$$ (D)
- International Conference
  This annual event offers information on the latest health and productivity management (HPM) practices and features six tracks that cover facets of HPM theory, implementation, and management. $$/$$$ (D)
National Business Group on Health
Offers seminars and summits throughout the year on health benefits solutions.
- Business Health Agenda
  This annual meeting focuses on best practices and what lies ahead in health benefits. Cost information not available.
- Joint Forum on Health, Productivity & Absence Management
  This annual conference focuses on effective, practical tools, best practices, and research findings in the area of health and productivity. Cost information not available.

Other Organizations

All organizations and agencies listed below provide information or education on worksite specific topics, some more extensive than others. Some of these organizations may also offer continuing education credits.