title: Integrating health promotion and occupational safety and health in manufacturing worksites: Perspectives of leaders in small-to-medium sized businesses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accumulating evidence suggests that worksite interventions integrating worksite health promotion (WHP) and occupational safety and health (OSH) may be more efficacious and have higher participation rates than health promotion programs offered alone. However, dissemination of integrated programs is complicated by lack of tools for implementation - particularly for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study is to describe perceptions of acceptability and feasibility of implementing an integrated approach to worker health that coordinates WHP and OSH in SMBs.
  
  
  METHODS
  In September to November 2012, decision-makers for employee health programming within SMBs (< 750 employees) in greater Minneapolis were identified. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed to develop an understanding of perceived benefits and barriers, awareness, and capacity for implementing an integrated approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Worker health was widely valued by participants. They reported strong management support for improving employee health and safety. Most participants indicated that their company was open to making changes in their approach to worker health; however, cost and staffing considerations were frequently perceived as barriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are opportunities for implementing integrated worksite health programs in SMBs with existing resources and values. However, challenges to implementation exist, as these worksites may lack the appropriate resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Candace C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: School of Arts and Sciences, Community Health Program, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McLellan
authors.affiliation: HealthPartners, HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research, Minneapolis, MN, USA.|Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pronk
authors.affiliation: Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.|Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kia L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D016272:Occupational Health; D015279:Organizational Culture; D036301:Qualitative Research; D058012:Small Business / Q000191:economics; D000078329:Workforce; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Workplace; health promotion; information dissemination; occupational health