Archive

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Med. Pr. 2002;53(5)

Involvement of Polish enterprises in workplace health promotion. Trends observed in 1998ś2001

Zaangażowanie zakładów pracy w Polsce w promocję zdrowia personelu. Kierunki rozwoju w latach 1998ś2001

Krzysztof Puchalski, Elżbieta Korzeniowska

Abstract

The author presents voluntary activities aimed at improving the workers' health in medium -sized and large enterprises in Poland, as well as the dynamic of changes in this area. The data were collected from enterprises chosen at random in 1998 (147 enterprises), 2000 (755) and 2001 (215).
At present, over 60%of enterprises declare that they do more for their workers' health than it is required by legal regulations. Since 1998, the number of such declarations has been constantly growing. It is observed that the larger enterprise and the better economic situation, the more frequent health promotion activities.
Two areas of activities are most commonly carried out: (1) medical services, e.g. vaccinations, extra diagnostic examinations and therapeutical services; and (2) investments in the work environment, e.g. ergonomics, improvement of interior designs.
Unfortunately, promotion of healthy lifestyles, e.g. non-smoking campaigns or stress management are definitely less frequent.
Although a growing number of enterprises becomes involved in health promotion, the range of their activities is diminishing. The programs aimed at promoting health conducive behaviors among workers are in particular given up.
As far as smoking cessationis considered, the enterprises disseminate materials on the adverse effects of smoking or related ill-health and punish smokers for breaking smoking bans instead of helping their workers and teach them how to quit smoking or support those who want to give up this habit. In the years 2000 and 2001, the educational and supporting activities decreased whereas the punitive policy was on the rise.

Key words

health promotion, health promotion at workplace, promotion of health behavior, smoking cessation