[Workplace health promotion: evaluation of evidence of efficacy and methodological recommendations]. / La promozione della salute nei luoghi di lavoro: valutazione di evidenze di efficacia e raccomandazioni metodologiche.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: During the period 2004-2007 five Italian regions in cooperation with the Universities of Pavia and Perugia and the Italian Cochrane Centre carried out a research project on health promotion programmes. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of efficacy of health education programmes developed by the Local Health Units from 2000 to 2004. RESULTS: Analysis of 69 of health promotion programmes and 23 Cochrane reviews led to establishing recommendations for health operators; at the workplace the efficacious actions were to encourage consumption of healthy food (also via automatic distributors of fruit and vegetable snacks) and physical activity, guarantee observance of the smoking ban and/or offer assistance to quit smoking. CONCLUSION: Health promotion projects involve the use of public resources so it is necessary that the potential impact and efficacy be evaluated in the planning process. In particular, it is advisable to examine the data in the literature and assign preference to projects that have proved efficacious.