Integrative Review of Workplace Health Promotion in the Business Process Outsourcing Industry: Focus on the Philippines.

Objective: The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry in the Philippines has experienced substantial growth, making a significant contribution to the country's economy. However, concerns about work-related health and safety issues have emerged, necessitating effective workplace health promotion strategies for BPO employees. Study design: An integrative review of relevant literature was conducted to explore workplace health promotion in the BPO sector. Methods: The search included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies, pertinent laws, policies, news articles, and reports published between 2000 and 2022. The scope was intentionally broad to encompass a diverse range of relevant evidence related to workplace health in this field. Articles published both in the English and Filipino languages were considered. Results: Findings revealed that BPO workers face risks related to physical and psychological stress, sleep disturbances, and occupational diseases owing to the unique challenges inherent to the nature of their jobs. While there are existing occupational health and labor laws, compliance among BPO companies remains a problem, and only a few organizations offer comprehensive wellness programs. Building upon the available evidence, a conceptual framework was developed to provide guidance for enhancing workplace health promotion initiatives specifically designed for BPOs in the country. Conclusion: Workplace health promotion is vital to warrant the health and safety of BPO workers. This study offers evidence-based recommendations for implementing effective well-being strategies, highlighting the importance of collaboration among employers, employees, and society to prioritize employee health in the workplace.

Assessing the Progress of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition From 1974 to 2022: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition remains a public health burden in the Philippines, with the country struggling to meet global nutrition targets. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to review the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) and its progress in addressing malnutrition in the Philippines. METHODS: A narrative literature review of the PPAN and its implementation from 1974 to 2022 was conducted, including an analysis of relevant data on the nutrition status and programs for Filipinos. RESULTS: The study found that the PPAN has been largely supportive in addressing malnutrition in the Philippines over the years. However, obstacles hindering the achievement of its nutrition-related goals have been identified. Challenges include inadequate coordination of programs at the local level, concerns regarding data quality, and insufficient training of personnel involved in implementing the PPAN. The results also indicate that the country has made limited progress toward achieving the global nutrition targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need to revisit and refine the PPAN to respond to the changing nature of malnutrition in the country. Recommendations to address the remaining gaps in the planning, implementing, and monitoring of the PPAN are discussed. Finally, the paper offers some valuable insights from the experiences of the PPAN that can be applied to other countries facing comparable nutrition contexts.