Association of organizational factors with knowledge of effectiveness indicators and participation in corporate health and productivity management programs.

Hirosuke Takahashi,Koji Mori,Masako Nagata,Tomohisa Nagata

doi:10.1002/1348-9585.12205

Hirosuke Takahashi, Koji Mori + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12205

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Abstract

ObjectivesThe working‐age population is rapidly declining in Japan, so the government has adopted “health and productivity management” (HPM). This policy initiative aims to encourage corporations to view health promotion activities as an investment in their employees’ health. The objective of this study was to examine the association between organizational factors and knowledge of the organization's effectiveness and program participation levels, and to understand the factors that affect effectiveness of corporations’ activities.MethodsWe used data from all corporations that completed the HPM Survey Sheets in 2018 (n = 1800). The explanatory variables were organizational factors: written company‐wide policy, agenda item at management‐level meetings, regular education for managers, and full‐time occupational health staff. The outcome variables were knowledge of the corporation's status on the effectiveness indicators (employees’ exercise habits, risk for high blood pressure, visiting hospital after a health examination, and long‐term sickness absences) and rates of participation in four areas (health education, exercise program, dietary program, and influenza vaccination). The associations between organizational factors and knowledge on effectiveness indicators and rates of program participation were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsAll the organizational factors were related to knowledge of effectiveness indicators, but only some were associated with the program participation indicators in the model, including all explanatory variables.ConclusionEnhancing organizational factors may lead to improvement of HPM programs and higher program participation among employees in corporations.

Highlights

Japan's working-age population is rapidly declining because of the decreasing birthrate and aging population.[1]
We examined the relationships of key items in the areas of “the positioning of health and productivity management” (HPM) in the corporation's philosophy and policies” and “organized frameworks” in the HPM Survey Sheets with each corporation's knowledge about its status on indicators of effectiveness and program participation
The activities underlying HPM and health promotion were expected to be influenced by the industry sector and the corporation size

Summary

Introduction

Japan's working-age population is rapidly declining because of the decreasing birthrate and aging population.[1]. Well-designed workplace health promotion programs have a positive return on investment by decreasing sickness absence, reducing medical costs, and increasing job satisfaction.[2,3] The Japanese government has adopted “health and productivity management” (HPM) as a policy initiative to encourage corporations to view health promotion activities as an investment in the health of their employees, and to help them manage more effectively. As of 2020, there are two recognition programs—the HPM Stock Selection program, which selects the most advanced corporation in each industry, and the Certified HPM Corporation Recognition Program, which enables all qualified corporations to apply for recognition. The latter includes both large-and small-and medium- sized businesses. The number of corporations participating in both programs is increasing each year.[4]

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