Partnerships for improving public health in the workplace - good for employees, employers and the wider economy?

That poor health exacts a heavy toll on businesses, budgets and economies is well established1. The direct costs of that impact vary internationally but are largely met by employers in North America, and by Government and taxation in Europe, with varied weighting outside Europe and USA. However, such simplistic compartmentalization is unhelpful and may drive cost-shifting interventions. While robust metrics from well-designed “Health Risk Appraisals” can focus corporate interventions, and build a business case, sustainable improvements in health for employee, business and economy alike require a partnership approach.     National Public Health initiatives can support business interventions by lending credibility to corporate interventions, if they are relevant to those populations. Corporate engagement can make a valued contribution to those national imperatives. Congruence between the health risk reduction messaging in the home and work environment resonate with employees.    Examples of opportunities to address health related productivity losses will be drawn from year 1 implementation of HRA’s in USA and UK employee populations of a major oil and gas producer. The direct relevance of risk-reduction opportunities identified will be examined as they relate to areas of focus in US CDC Health people 2020, and UK Department of Health Public Health Responsibility Deal2      References  1.  Enhancing Corporate Performance by Tackling Chronic Disease, World Economic Forum 2010  2.  The Public health Responsibility Deal, UK Department of Health 2011  3. “Healthy People 2020,” http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/implementing/funding.aspx