Results of the Workplace Health in America Survey

Abstract

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.