Evaluation Results From the Healthy Work Collaborative: A Cross-Sectoral Capacity Building Partnership to Address...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health Policy
• Health Equity

Background:

• Precarious employment (PE) poses significant health and safety risks, disproportionately affecting minority workers.
• PE is a key social determinant of health (SDOH) characterized by low wages, hazardous conditions, and lack of benefits.
• Existing health promotion efforts inadequately address SDOH like PE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Healthy Work Collaborative (HWC), an initiative designed to build capacity for addressing PE through policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change.
• To facilitate cross-sectoral partnerships between the health and labor sectors.
• To provide technical assistance (TA) to improve participants' ability to address PE via PSE strategies.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods evaluation using the Kirkpatrick training model.
• Pre-post surveys (N=21) analyzed descriptively.
• 3-month post-intervention interviews (N=13) thematically analyzed.

Main Results:

• Positive participant reactions to HWC curriculum and delivery.
• Demonstrated gains in knowledge and skills for addressing PE through PSE.
• Increased or strengthened health/labor partnerships and application of HWC concepts.
• Some participants initiated policy or plan changes in their organizations.

Conclusions:

• The HWC effectively enhanced participants' ability to address precarious employment.
• The initiative fostered valuable cross-sectoral partnerships.
• The HWC serves as a potential model for addressing other SDOH through PSE change.