2003 Planning Meeting

Workgroup 1 met to discuss implementing the initiative. As preface to considering how to implement the initiative, the group discussed the nature of the initiative. It was generally viewed as a multiyear effort initiated by this planning meeting, further clarified by the proposed National Workshop in 2004, and then proceeding through efforts in research, intervention, and policy development. The group suggested that the initiative be considered in terms of “return on prevention,” that is, that a holistic view be taken of worker health and that all the efforts that lead to preventing disease and injury be considered. However, of particular importance was the concern that the addition of health promotion efforts not be at the expense of workplace health protection efforts. The approach that the initiative could take might differ depending on whether the workers were blue collar or white collar and whether they worked in traditional employee-enterprise relationships or in new forms of employment (teams, contracting, etc.).

The group also discussed the initiative in terms of individual behavior changes and system changes. On the individual level, change would involve workers and supervisors acknowledging, accommodating, or adopting behaviors and supportive programs for health promotion. Systematically, the issue would be how to tie the clinical systems to worksite systems.

The group identified insurers and educators as two groups particularly important in the planning and implementation of the initiative.

The group recommended using partnerships and resources already in place. These particularly involved HHS or CDC efforts in worksite health promotions, smoking cessation, school and adolescent health, OSHA efforts in workers’ compensation, ACOEM health-related productivity roundtable.

The group discussed the value of supporting or highlighting the initiative with a few campaigns that could be success stories or catalysts for further action. People want evidenced-based proof of the benefits. It is necessary to make sure there are arguments for each major stakeholder of why they should be involved—something they can take home with them. Overall, the initiative would be multi-faceted and include efforts in filling research and policy gaps and in fostering interventions.