Public Health Department nutrition environments: Setting the pace

Purpose: To share the lessons learned from the successful development and implementation of a workplace wellness policy that supports active healthy living for all employees of Tulare County Health and Human Services. The policy, developed as part of Central California Regional Obesity Prevention (CCROPP) program was the result of inter-agency collaboration. Policy implementation is supported by staff surveys that highlighted the barriers to a healthy workplace and reinforced employee interest in changing their own environment. Employees of Tulare County Health and Human Services composed 55% of all county staff and work in 42 buildings throughout the County.

Methods: A workplace wellness policy was developed as an inter-agency collaborative with representation from each branch of the Agency and served to establish the support and commitment to the health and wellbeing of its employees. A staff survey was developed by Tulare County health department staff and disseminated to all levels of Agency staff for completion. Surveys collected were analyzed and utilized for policy implementation and worksite wellness program development.

Findings: Policy development and implementation are successful when nutrition and physical activity opportunities are allowed to be woven into the culture of the organization. Promotion, education and opportunity are seen as key factors to success.