Peer Health Educators Can Promote Worksite and Community Health

Abstract

Abstract Problem Statement Chronic diseases, communicable and non-communicable, can have a serious impact on the workforce in many global locations and cause more than 60% of all deaths globally (more than 80% of which are in low- and middle-income countries) (Bloom et al., 2011). They are a major cause of poverty, a barrier to economic development, and a neglected global emergency. One means of addressing health promotion and leveraging social support is by mobilizing the workforce itself through peer-based education programs. Objectives and Scope of Study This paper will demonstrate how a peer health educator model can be used to facilitate message delivery and adoption of new health behaviors in two business settings in the oil and gas industry – Nigeria and Indonesia. The goal of this model is to reach a greater portion of the Company workforce and enable the ability to improve workforce and community health. Method Evidence-based peer health education models will be implemented and evaluated in two locations. These models will then be refined to provide a fit for purpose model than can be deployed in other locations. Results and Observations Variables including age, gender, race, religion, socioeconomic status, and life experience may be used by target audiences to determine perceptions of similarity and trust. PHEs are committed employees who volunteer to engage the target audience around various but well defined health issues. Recruiting and training PHEs from the workforce at a ratio of 1:20, and providing resources to guide discussions around health and healthy behaviors has increased the reach of workforce health promotion compared to traditional means. Additionally, through interpersonal exchanges within a social network, workforce members are influenced and supported in their health behavior choices. The PHEs also serve as an easily accessible referral source for workforce members who require additional information. Conclusions In the energy industry operations range from remote to office-based and access to reliable health information varies, PHEs can serve as credible health information sources, providers of social support and a means for disseminating important health information. Applications Prevention-focused health and wellness programs can have a long term positive impact on workforce and community health in the diverse settings that energy companies operate. Innovations or Technical Contributions This paper leverages a public health construct and applies it improve workforce and community health.