Identify a health promotion program at the local, state or national level.

Briefly summarize the program

including: 1) background (why is this program important/necessary), (2) evidence used to support
development of this type of program (ex. health promotion theories/models), (3) how long has the
program been in existence, (4) comment on the efficacy, effectiveness, stakeholders, outcomes and
sustainability of the program, (5) any recommendations for improvement of the program (your own
recommendations).

Work@Health® https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/initiatives/workathealth/index.html

1. Background: The Work@Health® is an employer-training program which is launched by the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to promote workplace wellness including employer
education, training, and technical assistance. The program is designed for employers and other
participants to train them how to make good health promotion strategies. The program provides
employers with knowledge and tools to promote good health in their workplaces such as providing
gyms, healthy food, and weight management. The aim of the program is to prevent or reduce chronic
illness and disability. In addition, the employees may improve productivity and competitiveness, which
benefits the employers.

2. Evidence: The Workplace Health Program established a research center called the Workplace Health
Research Network (WHRN)( http://www.workhealthresearchnetwork.org/) which was created to
develop and execute research for workplace health. In the Nutrition and Weight Management in the
Workplace: A Guide for Employers the center published, they have much evidence to support the theory
that the workplace health was very important. For example, they used U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’
data to support the benefits of doing physical activities at work. The WHRN also worked with some
universities’ researchers such as Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, New York University
School of Medicine and City University of New York School of Public Health, and the University of Illinois
at Chicago.

3. How long: I could not find the actual time when the program started, but according to the news
from CDC, it started between 2012-2013. The WHRN started in 2014. The Work@Health® Advance
which provided advanced training and technical assistance to employers was launched in 2015.
Therefore, it totally exists for 5-6 years.

4. Comment: Because the Work@Health® program had its own research network, it could have its own
specific data and research. According to their research, they found out the program lowered the risk of
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and tobacco use. ( Goetzel, R. Z., Henke, R. M., Head, M. A.et,
2017) However, one of the researchers also found out that although there were many employers
providing environments to maintain good health, what employees thought was that their employers
didn’t provide a supportive environment. (McCleary K, Goetzel RZ, Roemer EC.et., 2017) In my own
opinion, I think the program did a great job because it offered many supports to employers. For
example, if an employer wants to join the program, they will be well-trained. The program also provides
an employer curricula model in which the employer can learn and rebuild the working environment step
by step. In addition, the program lowers the risk of chronic disease as the research showed.
5. Recommendation: When I reviewed the program, I found that it was hard to find the reasons why
employers should join the program. I only found some reports or links which provided the benefits of
the workplace health program. If I am a boss, I will want to learn the advantages of the program because
I may not want to spend money on something that will not earn money. Therefore, I may advise
emphasizing the benefits of employers from the program in the index.

Reference:

Goetzel, R. Z., Henke, R. M., Head, M. A., Benevent, R., & Calitz, C. (2017, February). Workplace
Programs, Policies, And Environmental Supports To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease. Health Affairs,
36(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.1273

K, M., RZ, G., EC, R., J, B., K, K., & H, T. (2017, March). Employer and Employee Opinions About
Workplace Health Promotion (Wellness) Programs: Results of the 2015 Harris Poll Nielsen Survey. J
Occup Environ Med., 59(3), 256-263. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000000946