WorkHealth: promoting healthy workplaces

1. WorkHealth: promoting healthy workplaces Pam Anders Director, WorkHealth program 10 October, 2012

2. WorkSafe Victoria

3. Today • Not such a healthy outlook? • Why should businesses care? • What do workers think? • A Victorian perspective on workplace health • Leading employer: Glen Eira City Council

4. An unhealthy outlook

5. Chronic disease a substantial burden for employers

6. 1/3 attributed to modifiable risk factors

7. What this means for business $7bn $34.1bn People with chronic disease are 60% less likely to work Healthy workers are at lower risk of injury Cost of absenteeism Cost of presenteeism

8. Why the workplace? We are more sedentary 1/3 Peer support and leadership within the workplace is ideal for behaviour change We spend a third of our day at work We think we aretoo busyto look after our health

9. Smart employers are taking action Less sick leaveand staff turnover, and moreproductivity 72% 53% Of workers participating in health and wellbeing programs believe their productivity improved of employers offer workplace health and wellbeing activities are three of the greatest benefits from health and wellbeing programs in the workplace

10. 60% 89% of workers think that the workplace is a reasonable setting to promote positive health and wellbeing messages consider attitudes towards health when seeking a new employer What workers think matters 87% believe that the employer should do something about promoting good health in the workplace

11. Targets the connection between modifiablelifestyle risk factors, workplace injury and chronic disease across an entire workforce Long term goalsinclude: reducing workplace injury,disease and absenteeism reducing impactof chronic disease (type 2 diabetes and heart disease) Increase workplace productivity WorkHealth: what we’re working towards

12. The WorkHealth model WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT WORKERS EMPLOYERS • Workplace programs • guidance, tools and resources • support for workplace champions • Health promotion grants • funding to support health & wellbeing activities • WorkHealth checks • free, 15 minute test for T2D, CVD risks • health information and advice • WorkHealth Coach • follow-up referral for at-risk workers • access to free lifestyle programs • Evaluation • Research & knowledge • Marketing & communications

13. About WorkHealth Educate workers Empower employers Delivered over 607k WorkHealth checks to Victorian workers Engaged with over 34k workplaces to deliver WorkHealth programs Provided over $2.4m in grants to fund workplace health promotion activities Helped over 25,000 at-risk workers take action to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes and heart disease

14. WorkHealth checks WorkHealth Coach Grants Info and resources

15. Type 2 diabetes and CVD risk

16. Lifestyle risks

17. Biomedical risks

18. Other findings Whilelifestyle habits improve with age, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose get worse. More younger workers rate their health as ‘poor’. Health risks among blue collar workers are more prevalentthan white collar. 1% of workers are referred to their GPurgently within 24 hours. Over half were told to see their GP within one month.

19. Individual workers are getting a kick-start 26% would like to cut down on alcohol 65% intend to increase exercise 63% want to eat better and drink more water 67% intend to eat more fruit and veg 13% would like to quit 50% would like to lose weight

20. Employers are seeing some good signs Post- WorkHealth checks, employers are reporting some positive change in… Higher staff productivity Higher staff retention Higher staff morale Fewer sick days Happier staff

21. WorkHealth checks WorkHealth Coach Grants Info and resources

22. WorkHealth Coach can deliver real results • Top 5 goals • Increase my exercise level (30%) • To make better food choices (24%) • Reduce my weight (20%) • Reduce my waist circumference (10%) • Better manage my stress (7%) • Goal attainment (@ end of program) • Increase my exercise level (67%) • To make better food choices (96%) • Reduce my weight (30%) • Reduce my waist circumference (53%) • Better manage my stress (76%)

23. WorkHealth checks WorkHealth Coach Grants Info and resources

24. Physical activity and healthy eating are top priorities Most popular menu choices: • Physical activity (38%) • Healthy eating (25%) • Mental wellbeing (16%) • Other (12%) • Quit smoking (4%) • Alcohol consumption (4%)

25. Glen Eira Council – Bee Healthy! • “Bee” mascot represents values of program • Driven by health and wellbeing committee • Wide range of activities • Accessible, inclusive, fun • Range of communication • Management lead by example • High levels of participation

26. Critical to success • Strong management “walk the talk” • Program should be led by a diverse employee committee • Local ‘champions’ to generate momentum • A mix of interventions is what works best • Try group challenges – ‘healthy competition’ and peer support • Activities don’t need to cost a fortune – many activities, i.e. walking, are free! • Start with health risk assessments (e.g. WorkHealth checks) to raise awareness

27. Attitudes are changing