The effectiveness of using the workplace to identify and address modifiable health risk factors in deprived populations

Abbas, S.Z.; Pollard, T.M.; Wynn, P.; Learmonth, A.; Joyce, K.; Bambra, C.

Abstract

Objectives To establish whether a programme of targeted health screening, with referral to appropriate interventions, offered to an employed but socioeconomically deprived group was effective in overcoming barriers to uptake of such services and improving a range of surrogate health markers for participants. Methods Low-paid local government employees from socially and economically deprived areas in North-East England were invited to attend a free health check. Health checks were conducted within working hours and close to their worksite, and included assessment of a range of lifestyle and health-related risk factors, including those associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). A range of additional interventions were offered where indicated. Participants were invited to repeat screening approximately 9 months later. Results 635 (20% response rate) employees in the target age group (≥40 years) attended the first check. Most health risk markers improved in those (N=427) attending both health checks, as did the mean CVD risk score (t=2.86, p=0.004). 269 referrals were made to the intervention programmes. Conclusions This workplace programme had a positive impact on cardiovascular health, but attendance rates were low. These findings suggest that workplace health screening activities may have the potential to improve health in a group often considered hard to reach by other routes, but do not offer a straightforward solution in overcoming barriers to access for such subgroups within the working population.

Citation

Abbas, S., Pollard, T., Wynn, P., Learmonth, A., Joyce, K., & Bambra, C. (2015). The effectiveness of using the workplace to identify and address modifiable health risk factors in deprived populations. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 72(9), 664-669. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2014-102743

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 22, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jul 6, 2015
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 13, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 28, 2015
• Journal: Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1351-0711
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-7926
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 72
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 664-669
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2014-102743
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1402541