Workplace health promotion/protection: correlates of integrative activities

A synthesis of health promotion and health protection is becoming a national and international priority. A national survey based on a random sample of occupational health professionals was conducted. Results are presented for objectives and activities in three categories: administrative, health education, and integrative. Respondents (N = 385) were grouped by discipline: nurse, health educator, physician, industrial hygienist, and "other." The groups were markedly different in their choice of "most important" educational program objective (knowledge, attitude, or behavior change). Integrative activities (synthesizing health promotion and protection) were most strongly correlated with heavy involvement in administrative and health education activities. Support of unions, employees, and managers for both health protection and health promotion was also correlated with integrative activities. Differences among disciplines indicate a need for convincing some currently practicing occupational health professionals of the value of the synthesis of health promotion and protection in work sites.