Engaging worksites for the National Healthy Worksite Program: Lessons learned

Background: In October 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) selected Viridian Health Management (VHM) to implement the NHWP in 100 worksites located in 7 communities. RTI International was selected to conduct a national evaluation of the program. The NHWP is designed to assist employers in implementing science and practice-based prevention and health promotion strategies that will lead to specific, measureable health outcomes to reduce chronic disease rates. This presentation describes the employer recruitment process, the healthy worksite training program, and steps taken to develop community coalitions and partnerships. Methods: The NHWP conducted targeted employer recruitment in the seven selected program communities, emphasizing the benefits of the program, via direct contact, mail/email, web and video, trade publications, and social media. Worksites selected as NHWP employers, as well as interested community participants, were given in-depth training to improve knowledge, skills, and capacity for building, enhancing, and maintaining worksite health programs. The NHWP also developed community partnerships to provide community linkages to support a sustainable, community-based model for worksite health promotion in small and medium employers. This Presentation will report lessons learned related to: • Effective outreach strategies to engage employers • Worksite factors associated with NHWP program and training opportunities • Building a foundation for sustainable workplace health promotion programming through training and community involvement