The Productivity Dilemma in Workplace Health Promotion.
ScientificWorldJournal
; 2015: 937063, 2015.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26380374
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Worksite-based programs to improve workforce health and well-being (Workplace Health Promotion (WHP)) have been advanced as conduits for improved worker productivity and decreased health care costs. There has been a countervailing health economics contention that return on investment (ROI) does not merit preventive health investment. METHODS/PROCEDURES Pertinent studies were reviewed and results reconsidered. A simple economic model is presented based on conventional and alternate assumptions used in cost benefit analysis (CBA), such as discounting and negative value. The issues are presented in the format of 3 conceptual dilemmas. PRINCIPALFINDINGS:
In some occupations such as nursing, the utility of patient survival and staff health is undervalued. WHP may miss important components of work related health risk. Altering assumptions on discounting and eliminating the drag of negative value radically change the CBA value.SIGNIFICANCE:
Simple monetization of a work life and calculation of return on workforce health investment as a simple alternate opportunity involve highly selective interpretations of productivity and utility.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Occupational Health
/
Health Care Costs
/
Cost-Benefit Analysis
/
Efficiency
/
Health Promotion
Type of study:
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Prognostic_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
ScientificWorldJournal
Journal subject:
MEDICINA
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States