Effect of a comprehensive health promotion program on employee attitudes

Article Abstract:

Businesses are always striving to increase their productivity and efficiency, and one important way to do so is to improve the health of their employees. When workers are in better health, the price paid by the company for medical benefits is reduced and employee morale may also improve. To maximize the health status of their employees, many businesses are offering health promotion and disease prevention programs. One such program, offered by Johnson and Johnson, is known as Live for Life (LFL). The goals of LFL encourage changing from high-risk to healthy lifestyles, and enhance work performance and attitudes towards work. Of seven Johnson and Johnson manufacturing companies, this program was implemented in four companies, but not offered in three others (the controls). This report describes the findings regarding changes in attitudes towards work. The numbers of employees participating at baseline were 2,040 for LFL and 1,201 for control companies, and by the two-year follow-up participants had dropped to 1,551 and 796, respectively. The results indicated that participants in LFL experienced significant improvements in various attitude measures, including: job security, pay and fringe benefits, job competence, working conditions, supervision, and organizational commitment. All of the improvements that were noted after one year, except job competence, were maintained at the end of the two-year period. The authors suggest that the broad range of attitude changes resulted from pervasive improvements in the work environment. The basic values and culture of the companies conducting LFL may have changed during the experimental period. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Health aspects, Evaluation, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Health promotion, Johnson & Johnson, Job satisfaction, Wellness programs, Workers, Employee loyalty, Employee attitudes, Job enrichment

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Utilization of preventive health services by an employed population

Article Abstract:

The achievement of national health objectives and goals can be enhanced by widespread use of preventive health programs. Screening tests and other early detection programs can contribute substantially to success in reaching these goals. The prognosis of breast, cervical, and prostate cancers can be significantly improved by early detection through screening. Conditions contributing to heart diseases, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol, may be detected and altered through intervention methods. The value of immunizations cannot be understated in the prevention of many childhood diseases. A study population of 18,053 persons was drawn from 40,071 eligible employees who completed a questionnaire regarding nutrition, tobacco and alcohol use, dental health, exercise, preventive health practices, and other general health questions. The participants were evenly split between men and women, and the majority was less than 35 years old. Most were white, and most had some college education. Blood pressure measurements, Pap smears, mammograms, rectal exams for older subjects, and dental exams were widely used. The subjects in this study participated more fully in preventive programs than participates in other health surveys. It is concluded that employees will use programs if they are encouraged to do so and if the programs are made available to them. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Occupational health services, Preventive health services, Preventive medicine

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