RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The study aim was to determine the utility of and satisfaction with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web-based employer tool, CDC's LEAN Works!, which provides evidence-based recommendations and promising practices for obesity prevention and control at worksites. DESIGN: This study examined employers' natural usage (i.e., without any study parameters on how, when, or how much to use the Web site and its resources) and impressions of the Web site. SETTING: Employers of varying sizes, industry types, and levels of maturity in offering obesity management programs and from both private and public sectors were recruited to participate in the study. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 29 employers enrolled to participate. METHOD: Participants were followed over a 12-month period. First impressions, bimonthly use of the Web site, and final assessments were collected using self-report surveys and individual interviews. Descriptive analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Almost all (96%) of participants reported a positive experience with the Web site, noting it provided a wealth of information. Most reported they planned to continue to use the Web site to develop (77%), implement (92%), and evaluate (85%) their obesity management programs. Aspects of the Web site that employers found valuable included a step-by-step implementation process, templates and toolkits, specific recommendations, and promising practices. CONCLUSION: CDC's LEAN Works! is a useful resource for employers wishing to develop and implement evidence-based workplace obesity prevention programs.
Asunto(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. , Conducta Alimentaria , Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Internet , Actividad Motora , Obesidad/prevención & control , Salud Laboral , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Internet/estadística & datos numéricos , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of health promotion programs of Prudential Financial, Inc on biometric measures of blood lipids and glucose. METHODS: Using actual biometric and self-reported measures of blood lipids and glucose values for the employees of Prudential Financial, Inc, we examined 1) the extent to which self-reported lipid and blood glucose values correlate to laboratory data, 2) whether self-reported and measured lipid values differ for physically active and sedentary employees, and 3) whether participation in a disease management program affects employees' lipid measures. RESULTS: We found significant differences in self-reported and measured total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein values, although these differences and those for all lipid and blood glucose values were not clinically meaningful. Supporting previous clinical studies, high-density lipoprotein values were significantly higher for fitness center users compared with sedentary employees. Finally, disease management participants showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein during a 3-year period compared with nonparticipants. CONCLUSIONS: On average, the employees of Prudential Financial, Inc were aware of and accurately reported their lipid and blood glucose levels. Results from this study support the value of evaluating corporate health promotion programs, using measured biometric outcomes.
Asunto(s)
Glucemia , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Hiperlipidemias/sangre , Salud Laboral , Adulto , HDL-Colesterol/sangre , LDL-Colesterol/sangre , Estudios de Cohortes , Centros de Acondicionamiento/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Autoinforme , Triglicéridos/sangre , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Employers are implementing workplace health promotion programs that address modifiable health risk factors such as overweight and obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, poor diet, and high stress. Research with large employers has found that these programs can improve workers' health and decrease the costs associated with medical care, absenteeism, and presenteeism. Despite their promise, health promotion programs are not widely embraced by small businesses, especially those in rural communities. This article reviews the barriers encountered by small and rural businesses in implementing health promotion programs. We describe an approach developed in cooperation with the New York State Department of Health's Healthy Heart Program and the Cayuga Community Health Network to engage small businesses in health promotion. We review the development and implementation of an assessment tool created to evaluate current workplace health promotion programs, policies, and practices targeting cardiovascular disease among small, rural employers in upstate New York. Potential benefits of the assessment tool are discussed, and the instrument is made available for the public.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/prevención & control , Planificación en Salud Comunitaria/organización & administración , Conducta de Reducción del Riesgo , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/epidemiología , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Educación en Salud/organización & administración , Promoción de la Salud/organización & administración , Humanos , New York/epidemiología , Asociación entre el Sector Público-Privado , Factores de Riesgo , Población RuralRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Wellness at Work program on health risks of employees from 10 New York City organizations at 26 worksites. METHODS: Employer sites were matched and assigned to receive either moderate or high intensity health promotion interventions. Changes from time 1 to time 3 in employees' risk status on 12 health risks were examined using chi and t tests for a cohort group (N = 930). Comparisons between moderate and high intensity groups used multivariate methods, controlling for confounders. RESULTS: From time 1 to time 3, both moderate and high intensity sites demonstrated significant risk reductions. Nevertheless, comparisons by intervention intensity did not reveal significant differences between treatment conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Private-public partnerships to promote employee health in the workplace have the potential to reduce health risks that are precursors to chronic disease.