226624 An evaluation of the utilization and outcomes of a Georgia county board of health innovative worksite wellness policy

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Danna L. Sanders, MPH, CHES , CDC Office of Public Health Genomics, McKing Contracting, Atlanta, GA
Background: Adult obesity leads to chronic disease and has health and economic implications. Comprehensive Worksite Health Promotion programs may benefit employees and employers; however, there are barriers to implementation. Objective: to determine if a County Board of Health Employee Wellness Policy that provides breaks during the workday for employees has resulted in actual use, if employees perceive benefits, and to examine barriers. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 187 employees across was conducted. The survey instrument included quantitative and qualitative questions administered electronically or in person. Results: Seventy four percent surveyed knew about the policy, 57% understood policy guidelines, and 41% had ever used wellness breaks. Respondents most often reported using wellness breaks for physical activity (walking/jogging), and a majority who used them reported positive outcomes including: increased physical activity (64.4%), weight loss (65.2%), increased productivity (79.5%), improved work relationships (86%), increased work morale (64.4%), and increased overall positive outlook (69.9%). Barriers to utilization: lack of time, knowledge, and encouragement from management, as well as clinical setting. Management employees were significantly more likely to know about the policy and understand guidelines compared to non-management employees. Clinical employees were significantly less likely to ever use wellness breaks and less likely to feel their manager supports the policy. Conclusion: Sampled participating employees perceive health and work-related benefits; however, barriers prevent a majority of employees from utilizing breaks. Results may inform wellness policy changes for improved utilization and outcomes. Findings provide some support for a discretionary paid work break policy in the workplace.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Program planning
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify one or more barriers to utilization of adult worksite health promotion programs. 2. Describe the innovative worksite health promotion policy being evaluated. 3. Name the sub-population of employees identified as least likely to ever use the policy.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Worksite

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified as an author because I have a Master of Public Health and am a certified Health Education Specialist. I have participated in the conduct of public health research since 2006, have been employed full time in public health genomics communications since 2009, and have delivered presentations on public health-related topics for the past 4 years. I am the primary researcher who was involved in the design, development, implementation, and data analysis of the study as partial requirements for my MPH at Georgia State University Institute of Public Health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.