Exploring Availability and Use of Workplace Health Promotion Supports Within Missouri Small Businesses

PURPOSE: More than one-third of current U.S. workers suffer from at least one chronic health condition. These conditions reduce working capacity and increase the risk of disability. Large employers who offer workplace health promotion programs have benefited from decreased employee absences and turnover with improved work performance. Small employers have fewer resources (time and money) to provide health-related programs to their employees. The purpose of this study was to explore the availability and utilization of workplace health promotion supports in small businesses. We explored community resources available to small businesses for use in health promotion programs.

DESIGN: A secondary analysis was conducted of interview data collected in 2011–2012.

METHODS: A total of 2,015 employees residing in one of four Missouri metropolitan areas were identified by random digit calling to participate in the Supports at HOme and Work for Maintaining Energy Balance (SHOW–ME) study. Interviews covered past medical conditions, job information, and availability and use of workplace supports related to physical activity and diet. Employer size was dichotomized as 100 or fewer employees (small) versus more than 100 employees (large). We examined differences in availability and use of workplace supports by employer size, adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index using linear regression models for each support. We are currently exploring the availability of community services and programs through the web and communicating with state and local organizations to locate relevant information on health programs and services for small businesses.

RESULTS: The study sample was predominantly female (67.6%) and White (62.7%), had a mean age of 48 yr (SD = 11), and showed similar proportions by body mass index (normal: 33.9%, overweight: 32.4%, obese: 33.7%) and by employer size (large: 50.4%, small: 49.6%). Regarding 16 workplace supports, large employers more commonly offered supports than small businesses (health fairs, 70% vs. 32%; personal services for fitness, 65% vs. 32%; challenge events, 63% vs. 32%; free or reduced-cost gym memberships, 43% vs. 21%; cafeteria, 67% vs. 31%). However, employees of smaller businesses were 1.5 to 3 times more likely to use supports when available than employees of large companies (exercise programs, free or reduced-cost gym memberships, incentives to use public transit, and onsite shower facilities) after adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index in logistic regression models. We will collect community resources for each geographic region, including the availability of walking and biking trails, healthy restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance of businesses, and community run/walk challenge events that businesses may participate in.

CONCLUSION: Small businesses offer fewer workplace supports, but when offered, their employees participate in some supports to a greater degree than employees of large businesses. Increasing availability of supports through community resources may provide greater health benefits to employees in small businesses.

IMPACT STATEMENT: Community resources may be used to enhance offerings and encourage participation by communicating and distributing information in small businesses. Occupational therapists involved with community and work programs may use this information to promote healthier living and prevention of chronic conditions.

References

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Conn, V.S., Hafdahl, A. R., Cooper, P. S., Brown, L. M., & Lusk, S. L. (2009). Meta-analysis of workplace physical activity interventions. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 37, 330–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2009.06.008

Linnan, L., Bowling, M., Childress, J., et al. (2008). Results of the 2004 National Worksite Health Promotion Survey. American Journal of Public Health, 98, 1503–1509. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2006.100313

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