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Journal of Public Health

01-02-2010 | Review

Effectiveness of workplace health promotion and primary prevention interventions: a review

Authors: Judith Goldgruber, Dieter Ahrens

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Workplace health promotion and primary prevention interventions are highly prevalent. However, their effectiveness remains mostly unclear.

Aim

This article compiles and summarizes the results of current reviews concerning the effectiveness of health promotion and primary prevention interventions in the workplace.

Subjects and methods

Studies were selected from four electronic databases on the basis of the following criteria: (1) Meta-analysis or systematic reviews, (2) published in international peer-reviewed journals (3) between 1 January 2004 and 30 June 2008 (4) in English or German (5) that examined the effectiveness of workplace health promotion and primary prevention interventions.

Results

Seventeen reviews met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently categorized into the following areas of intervention: stress, physical activity and nutrition, organizational development, smoking, and ergonomics and back pain. Singular interventions showed limited effectiveness. Workplace interventions aimed at helping individuals reported substantially greater effects than workplace interventions aimed at the workforce as a whole; here, methodological influences play an important role.

Conclusions

The greatest results are achievable through comprehensive multimodal (or systemic) programs including relational and behavioral elements. Future research is needed in the conception of methodologically sound and setting-appropriate study designs.
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Metadata
Title
Effectiveness of workplace health promotion and primary prevention interventions: a review
Authors
Judith Goldgruber
Dieter Ahrens
Publication date
01-02-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-009-0282-5