Source: Lancet with funding by NHL&BI

What is this about?

This edition of Connections newsletter provides a recent major peer review article that is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of multi-component workplace wellness programs for dietary habits, overweight and cardiometabolic health. The methodology includes an extensive search of the scientific literature and the selection of 121 peer review articles with 68% (n = 82) randomized controlled and 32% (n = 39) quasi-experimental that met the study inclusion criteria.

Some of the highlighted findings in the 13 page Lancet article include:

• Both the World Health Assembly in 2004 and the UN high-level meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in 2011 called on the private sector to promote enabling environments and worksite wellness programs for healthy behaviors among workers.
• In 2017, WHO identified workplace wellness programs as a best-buy option for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases including mental health.
• The major finding from this study was …“Workplace wellness programs are associated with improvements in specific dietary, anthropometric, and cardiometabolic risk indicators.”

Why is this important?

This document provides one of the most scientifically rigorous examinations of the effectiveness of workplace wellness programs in producing health improvements in the area of dietary habits (7 measures), overweight ( 6 measures) and cardiometabolic health (7 measures).  The three areas of dietary habits, overweight and cardiometabolic health measures account for a major portion of the morbidity, mortality and economic health cost of working populations, as well as some of the key health risks and measures associated with the most serious health outcomes from COVID-19.  This article provides summary scientific “proof” that workplace wellness programs can produce significant health improvements. It is also our belief that improved program designs and adequate funding of workplace wellness programs can produce even greater levels of health improvement in these areas as well as additional areas important to human health and well-being .

 

What can you do with this document?

• First, this document answers the general question…”Do multi-component workplace wellness programs actually improve health?”
• Next, skim the article for highlights of the methodology and the strength of the findings from the systematic review as well as the meta-analysis results.
• Next, examine which program stakeholders and groups in your organization should receive the main findings from the article.
• Next, lay out in your wellness program work plan how you plan to use this information with the various major stakeholder groups during the year ahead.
• Next, implement your work plan details and distribute the information contained in the article.
• Next, use this information in your own budget development, justification and review process.

In summary, this document contains a systematic examination and meta-analysis of the health improvement effectiveness of workplace wellness programs in the areas of dietary habits, overweight status and cardiometabolic health measures. This information can help employers appropriately value their employee wellness efforts and can be used to justify continuation and expansion of formal employee wellness efforts.

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I hope this tool helps you reach your wellness programming goals!  Drop me a note and let me know if you found it to be helpful.