Results of the Workplace Health in America Survey

• Published in: American journal of health promotion Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 652 - 665
• Main Authors: Linnan, Laura A., Cluff, Laurie, Lang, Jason E., Penne, Michael, Leff, Maija S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.2019; American Journal of Health Promotion
• Subjects: Classification; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disease Management; Health promotion; Health Promotion - organization & administration; Health Promotion - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Incentives; Industry - statistics & numerical data; Logistic Models; Mass Screening - statistics & numerical data; Medical screening; Occupational Health; Occupational Health Services - organization & administration; Occupational Health Services - statistics & numerical data; Occupational safety; Polls & surveys; Residence Characteristics; Self report; United States; Work site programmes; Workplace - organization & administration; Workplace - statistics & numerical data; Workplaces; United States; United States > US; cross-sectional survey; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; employer surveys; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; public health surveillance; workplace health promotion; surveys and questionnaires; occupational safety and health; work–life balance
• ISSN: 0890-1171; 2168-6602; 2168-6602
• DOI: 10.1177/0890117119842047

Purpose: To provide a nationally representative snapshot of workplace health promotion (WHP) and protection practices among United States worksites. Design: Cross-sectional, self-report Workplace Health in America (WHA) Survey between November 2016 and September 2017. Setting: National. Participants: Random sample of US worksites with ≥10 employees, stratified by region, size, and North American Industrial Classification System sector. Measures: Workplace health promotion programs, program administration, evidence-based strategies, health screenings, disease management, incentives, work–life policies, implementation barriers, and occupational safety and health (OSH). Analysis: Descriptive statistics, t tests, and logistic regression. Results: Among eligible worksites, 10.1% (n = 3109) responded, 2843 retained in final sample, and 46.1% offered some type of WHP program. The proportion of comparable worksites with comprehensive programs (as defined in Healthy People 2010) rose from 6.9% in 2004 to 17.1% in 2017 (P < .001). Occupational safety and health programs were more prevalent than WHP programs, and 83.5% of all worksites had an individual responsible for employee safety, while only 72.2% of those with a WHP program had an individual responsible for it. Smaller worksites were less likely than larger to offer most programs. Conclusion: The prevalence of WHP programs has increased but remains low across most health programs; few worksites have comprehensive programs. Smaller worksites have persistent deficits and require targeted approaches; integrated OSH and WHP efforts may help. Ongoing monitoring using the WHA Survey benchmarks OSH and WHP in US worksites, updates estimates from previous surveys, and identifies gaps in research and practice.