Lifestyle, stress and work: Strategies for health promotion

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Abstract
Much work today inhibits positive health practices. To be successful, workplace health promotion strategies must focus on the nature of the work itself, as well as upon the worker. Approaches to lifestyle-change range from changes in legislative policy, as in Norway, to community health education, organizational development, occupational safety and health and, increasingly in the U.S. and Canada, worksite wellness programmes. Contrasts between the European and North American approaches to lifestyle, stress and work are apparent. European efforts are often directed towards structural and legislative changes. Unions, rather than top management, have taken the lead. The primary focus has been upon stressors–toxic chemicals, work design, man-machine systems. In contrast, North American efforts have generally been initiated by senior management, and have focussed on changes in personal health practices such as cigarette smoking, nutrition, exercise, and stress management. These contrasts will blur as management and labour begin to collaborate on the development and implementation of comprehensive health promotion programmes. The paper concludes with examples of some successful programmes and recommendations for would-be programme developers.

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