Health promotion and disease prevention in the worksite

U.S. and Canadian research studies (n = 73) on health promotion/disease prevention programs in the worksite reported from 1990 through 1994 were reviewed for this chapter. In those studies, diverse intervention foci were provided and outcomes specific to the foci, as well as numerous additional outcomes, cost and cost benefit being the most common, were measured. To aid future researchers, two appendices list reports by foci of intervention and by outcomes measured. Deficiencies and inadequacies in reports and studies are described. Nearly all (68 out of 73) of the published studies obtained positive results in terms of benefiting health or reducing costs. The Johnson & Johnson LIVE FOR LIFE Program is presented as an exemplar of a comprehensive, multifaceted, worksite health promotion/disease prevention program whose effects were consistently assessed. Although health promotion and prevention of disease has always been an important component of nursing practice, few reports included nurse scientists as authors or coauthors. Potential explanations for the limited involvement by nurse scientists and recommendations regarding future research directions are presented. The worksite remains the best place to promote improved health for adults and this area of research represents an opportunity for greater involvement by nurse scientists.