WVDHHR > Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease

well@work West Virginia Healthy Worksite Initiative

West Virginians work! Spending so many hours on the job means we should do all we can to keep our worksites healthy. A healthy work environment reduces risks and improves our quality of life.

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), workplace wellness programs can:

Improve healthy behaviors, increase physical activity and encourage healthy eating;
Improve workers’ health knowledge and skills;
Create a culture of healthier behaviors at work.

The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health Division of Health Promotion Chronic Disease is committed to reducing obesity and rates of chronic disease. One of the ways we do this is through the well@work West Virginia Healthy Worksite Initiative. This initiative promotes and encourages healthy behaviors in worksites and communities to reduce obesity and improve health and well-being.

Want to help your employees AND your bottom line? By making small changes in the worksite, like starting a wellness program, employers can reduce healthcare costs for everyone. We invite your worksite to participate in the well@work West Virginia Healthy Worksite Initiative.

About the Initiative

In 2016, using the CDC’s Worksite Health ScoreCard, HPCD launched the well@work West Virginia Healthy Worksite Initiative, providing technical assistance for worksites to assess, plan, implement and evaluate their worksite’s wellness. With the ScoreCard’s results and feedback from employers, we identified key resources for action. Using those resources, HPCD developed a centralized webpage for worksites and communities interested in improving wellness.

For more information about the initiative and its development, check out the well@work West Virginia success story.

The well@work WV Healthy Worksite Initiative was supported by funds provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2013 to 2018.

Resources for Action in Worksites and Communities

“Worksite wellness drives productivity, saves money *and creates a* *healthy workforce.” *	The CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard The CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard is a tool designed to help employers assess whether they have implemented evidence-based health promotion interventions or strategies in their worksites to prevent heart disease, stroke, and related conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. The Scorecard includes questions on many key best practice strategies and interventions. These are part of a comprehensive approach to addressing the leading conditions that drive health care and productivity costs. What are the benefits? · Increased access to evidence-based ways to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease · Improved health and wellness of employees · Increased knowledge of resources to take action and help sustain your wellness program Getting started We utilized the CDC Workplace Health Model and CDC Workplace Resource Center as additional guidance for implementing effective workplace wellness strategies. Here’s how to get started in 5 steps: 1. Review: gather your wellness committee and familiarize yourself with CDC Workplace Wellness Resources and Workplace Health Program Definition and Description. 2. Assess: Complete and submit organizational assessment--CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard (HSC) paper or online. 3. Plan: Develop a Health Improvement Plan with at least one SMART objective based on CDC HSC results. 4. Implement: Use the implementation guide below to take action. 5. Evaluate and celebrate: Share challenges, opportunities and success. Resources for Assessing and Planning · CDC Workplace Health Promotion · Workplace Health Program Definition and Description · CDC Health ScoreCard Video Tutorials (access to YouTube required) · Download the Worksite Health ScoreCard · North Carolina Wellness Committee Workbook · The CDC Worksite HSC Scoring Methodology · CDC Workplace Resource Center · CDC Workplace Resource Center
Implementation The CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard includes 122 strategies addressing the conditions and risk factors that cause untimely death and increase health care costs. Using components adopted from the ScoreCard, we compiled a list of resources to help you take action. Each component is intended for communities and employers who have completed the ScoreCard assessment, developed a plan, and are looking for ways to take action. Click on each component for additional resources.
Organizational Support Tobacco Control Nutrition Lactation Support Physical Activity Weight Management Stress Management Depression	High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Diabetes Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack and Stroke Emergency Response to Heart Attack and Stroke Occupational Health and Safety Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Additional CDC Health ScoreCard Resources CDC Workplace Health Resource Page 2014 CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard Manual online CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard Paper CDC Worksite Health ScoreCard Methodology Additional Implementation Guides North Carolina’s Work Well NC Maryland’s Healthiest Business Guide Creating a Culture of Health Culture of Health Definition and Elements “Organizational Support” of the Program Measurement and Evaluation Guide: Core Metrics for Employee Health Management CDC Culture of Health	Additional Resources West Virginia Webinar and Materials Sodium Reduction Resources for Worksites West Virginia Health Policy Library Success Stories WV Strengthens Worksite Wellness One Resource at a Time Try This WV Worksite Wellness button WV Health Connection The WV Plan to Combat Obesity and Reduce Related Chronic Disease details the burden, health goals, and proven strategies to reduce obesity and improve health indicators.