Commentaries on “Workplace Health Promotion Will Become Irrelevant in National Policy if We Do Not Learn to Speak with One Voice”

Abstract

I have written several Editor’s Notes on the issue of federal law (1) that prohibits asking questions about family health history in health risk assessments (HRAs) when financial incentives are provided to complete the HRAs, and (2) that allows employers to charge differential health plan premiums to workers based on achieving health goals or participating in health promotion programs to achieve those goals. Central to several of those articles has been the fact that the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Cancer Society (ACS) organized a coalition to advocate positions on these issues that I believe will hurt workplace health promotion and will ultimately hurt the health of the American people. My most recent article focused on the importance of the workplace health promotion community working with the AHA/ACS coalition so we can begin to speak with one unified voice on these issues. If we do not speak with one voice, we risk being ignored in national policy discussions. The key points in my articles are summarized below; the references supporting my points are in my original articles and are omitted for brevity. We received dozens of letters in response to these articles. Most were short letters that expressed support for the positions I advocated and concerns about the position AHA and ACS are taking. Letters have come from individual health promotion professionals, as well as professional and trade associations that represent employers, benefits managers, and health promotion providers. We are publishing two letters that express different perspectives. Both focused on my most recent article, titled ‘‘Workplace Health Promotion Will Become Irrelevant in National Policy if We Do Not Learn to Speak With One Voice.’’ The first is a direct response from leaders at the AHA, the ACS, and the American Diabetes Association. The second is from executives of a health promotion provider, who seek common ground and offer a middle position. In bringing this issue to light, I am challenging people and organizations that I respect and admire. I do this in hopes of stimulating more dialogue that can help us learn to speak with one voice. My comments below are for incentives offered by employers who provide health insurance for their employees and pay the lions share of the premium.