Health Promotion In Germany Research Articles

Green List Prevention - An Evidence Registry for Prevention and Health Promotion in Germany

Abstract Introduction Evidence-based prevention and health promotion will be supported by practice-relevant evidence registries. The Green List Prevention provides an overview of evidence-based prevention programs for children and youth in Germany. It was modeled after the U.S. Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development in the context of the Communities That Care community prevention system. Programs are reviewed for conceptual, implementation, and evaluation quality and are categorized into three levels of evidence: (1) effectiveness theoretically well established, (2) ∼ likely, (3) ∼ proven. The Green List Prevention is used in communities, at state and national levels, and research. This paper provides insight into its content, keywording and enhancements. Methods To characterize the evidence-based programs, an inductive-deductive procedure was used to form 14 super- and 33 subcategories with 226 characteristic attributes. Based on these, all registry entries were categorized and summarized descriptively. Results The 100 programs listed (4/2023) address not only the primary target group of children and adolescents, but also secondary target groups (mainly teachers n = 53, guardians n = 46, educators n = 19) and are located in different environments (mainly school n = 61, family n = 28, kindergarten n = 23). Behavioral prevention on violence including bullying n = 64, addiction n = 47 and mental health n = 34 are in the foreground; topics such as nutrition (n = 3) and physical activity (n = 2) are little represented. Social and life skills programs (n = 61) and training for guardians (n = 25) are listed particularly often. Conclusions The Green List Prevention provides an overview of effective prevention and health promotion interventions for different contexts. Its current expansion to rate environmental and behavioral prevention measures on nutrition and physical Key messages • The Green List Prevention enables stakeholders to make a targeted selection of evidence-based programs and offers practice-relevant information e.g. main focus, program formats, implementation. • The evidence register Green List Prevention supports evidence-based prevention and health promotion in Germany.

Multi-level stakeholders' perspectives on implementation and scaling up community-based health promotion in Germany.

Community-based health promotion has the potential to address existing health inequities, although such approaches are scarcely scaled up. For a successful scale up, various stakeholders at different levels and sectors need to be involved. The article's aims are to assess what kind of external support communities need for implementation and to identify facilitators and barriers for scaling up community-based health promotion. Two national digital workshops were conducted in Germany with stakeholders at the community level (n = 161) and with stakeholders at the federal and state levels (n = 84). Protocols were compiled and coded using qualitative content analysis. During the first workshop, we revealed 11 themes for external support needs ('Strategic approach', 'Define & compare indicators', 'International human resource', 'Tools & Aids', 'External conduction of the assessment', 'Involvement of people in difficult life situations', 'Overview of actors', 'Moderation', 'Obtain funding', 'Quality assurance/evaluation' and 'External support'). Eleven facilitators and barriers were identified for scaling up ('Assessment and evaluation', 'Intersectoral collaboration and partnerships', 'Communication', 'Characteristics of the program', 'Political and legal conditions', 'Political support', 'Local coordinator', 'Resources', 'Participation', 'Strategic planning/methods' and 'Intermediary organization'). The identified results provide practice-based evidence on support needed for scaling up, facilitators that promote scaling up and barriers that might hinder scaling up community-based health promotion in Germany. In a next step, this practice-based evidence needs to be systematically integrated with scientific-based evidence on key components for scaling up such approaches for the development of an effective scaling-up concept.

Barrier profiles in workplace health promotion in Germany.

Lay SummaryWorkplace health promotion (WHP) is often faced with low-participation rates despite high relevance. This limits the potential for creating positive effects for the organization and its staff. Therefore, we investigated the barriers perceived by employees themselves using a representative sample (regarding age, gender and education) in Germany. Data were collected using a quantitative online questionnaire and then analyzed regarding underlying patterns. We found that there are different barrier types, and their importance differs depending on demographic criteria of the participants and the organizations they work for. These results can help organizations to reduce participation barriers to WHP for their staff.

Works councils and workplace health promotion in Germany

From a theoretical viewpoint, there can be market failures and organizational failures resulting in an underprovision of occupational health and safety. Works councils may help mitigate these failures. Using establishment data from Germany, the empirical analysis in this article confirms that the incidence of a works council is significantly associated with an increased likelihood that the establishment provides more workplace health promotion than required by law. This result also holds in regressions accounting for the possible endogeneity of works council incidence. Furthermore, analysing potentially moderating factors such as collective bargaining coverage, industry, type of ownership, multi-establishment status and product market competition, the article finds a positive association between works councils and workplace health promotion for the various types of establishments examined. Finally, this study goes beyond the mere incidence of workplace health promotion and shows that works councils are positively associated with a series of different measures of workplace health promotion.

Utilisation of canteens offering healthy food choices as part of workplace health promotion in Germany.

Ensuring that canteens offer employees healthy food choices is a settings-based measure of work-place health promotion. The German Health Update (GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS) surveyed the knowledge and use of canteens with healthy food choices by 18- to 64-year-old female and male employees. Over the previous twelve months, 64.6% of women and 66.2% of men had, where available, eaten at canteens with healthy food options at their place of work. These figures on canteen use decline with age. The most frequent use is by employees in the high education group. Women working full-time eat in canteens offering healthy food choices more often than women working part-time. No difference in relation to the number of hours worked is observed for men. Healthy food choices in canteens should continue to be promoted.

German recommendations for physical activity and physical activity promotion in adults with noncommunicable diseases

BackgroundExisting physical activity guidelines predominantly focus on healthy age-stratified target groups. The objective of this study was to develop evidence-based recommendations for physical activity (PA) and PA promotion for German adults (18–65 years) with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).MethodsThe PA recommendations were developed based on existing PA recommendations. In phase 1, systematic literature searches were conducted for current PA recommendations for seven chronic conditions (osteoarthrosis of the hip and knee, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stable ischemic heart disease, stroke, clinical depression, and chronic non-specific back pain). In phase 2, the PA recommendations were evaluated on the basis of 28 quality criteria, and high-quality recommendations were analysed. In phase 3, PA recommendations for seven chronic conditions were deducted and then synthesised to generate generic German PA recommendations for adults with NCDs. In relation to the recommendations for PA promotion, a systematic literature review was conducted on papers that reviewed the efficacy/effectiveness of interventions for PA promotion in adults with NCDs.ResultsThe German recommendations for physical activity state that adults with NCDs should, over the course of a week, do at least 150 min of moderate-intensity aerobic PA, or 75 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic PA, or a combination of both. Furthermore, muscle-strengthening activities should be performed at least twice a week. The promotion of PA among adults with NCDs should be theory-based, specifically target PA behaviour, and be tailored to the respective target group. In this context, and as an intervention method, exercise referral schemes are one of the more promising methods of promoting PA in adults with NCDs.ConclusionThe development of evidence-based recommendations for PA and PA promotion is an important step in terms of the initiation and implementation of actions for PA-related health promotion in Germany. The German recommendations for PA and PA promotion inform adults affected by NCDs and health professionals on how much PA would be optimal for adults with NCDs. Additionally, the recommendations provide professionals entrusted in PA promotion the best strategies and interventions to raise low PA levels in adults with NCDs. The formulation of specific PA recommendations for adults with NCDs and their combination with recommendations on PA promotion is a unique characteristic of the German recommendations.

Works Councils and Workplace Health Promotion in Germany

From a theoretical viewpoint, there can be market failures resulting in an underprovision of occupational health and safety. Works councils may help mitigate these failures. Using establishment data from Germany, our empirical analysis confirms that the incidence of a works council is significantly associated with an increased likelihood that the establishment provides more workplace health promotion than required by law. This result also holds in a recursive bivariate probit regression accounting for the possible endogeneity of works council incidence. Furthermore, analyzing potentially moderating factors such as collective bargaining coverage, industry, type of ownership, multi-establishment status and product market competition, we find a positive association between works councils and workplace health promotion for the various types of establishments examined. Finally, we go beyond the mere incidence of workplace health promotion and show that works councils are positively associated with a series of different measures of workplace health promotion.

Health promotion networks for children and youth on the local level : An overview of the status quo in Germany

In recent years, more and more municipalities in Germany have started to establish cross-sectoral health promotion networks for children and teenagers. They are supported by several initiatives at the state and federal level. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of these initiatives and to describe the central barriers for the implementation of health promotion networks on the local level. For this purpose, the authors first outline the role of municipalities in health promotion in Germany in general, and then describe the initiatives in more detail. The authors identify four central obstacles for implementing health promotion networks on the local level: the tight financial situation of many municipalities, difficulties of the local public service in realizing intersectoral cooperation, the traditionally weak role of the local health service, and missing evidence for Germany regarding the effectiveness of networks and integrated strategies. In addition, the article presents two alternative solutions: Great Britain and Västerbotten, acounty in Sweden.

The Use of Nudging for Primary Prevention: A Review and Perspectives for Germany

Nudging as a means of influencing human behaviour has received increasing attention by policy makers, including those in the field of public health. Nudges are generally understood as specific aspects of a choice architecture that make certain behaviours more likely to occur without mandating them through binding rules, and without relying on economic incentives. Following the example of the United States and Great Britain, the German government has established a working group tasked with advising the federal government on the use of nudging and other behavioural interventions in policy making. The working group's inception in February 2015 inspired a lively public debate. While numerous opportunities for the use of nudging in primary prevention and health promotion in Germany exist, the concept has not yet been widely used in practice. We discuss the basic theoretical concepts of nudging, relating the underlying ideas to the terminology used in prevention and health promotion. In addition, we present typologies and practical examples for nudging interventions, and discuss criticisms raised in the academic and public debate. Finally, we discuss implications for research and policy, highlighting how nudging and related approaches can be used to strengthen primary prevention in Germany.

Gesundheit im Kontext von Bildung und Erziehung – Entwicklung, Umsetzung und Herausforderungen der schulischen Gesundheitsförderung in Deutschland

Seit Verabschiedung der Ottawa Charta fur Gesundheitsforderung hat sich die Schule in den zuruckliegenden Jahrzehnten zu einem zentralen Setting zur Forderung der Kinder- und Jugendgesundheit sowie auch der Lehrergesundheit entwickelt. Auf konzeptioneller Ebene lassen sich verschiedene Stromungen unterscheiden, die auf die Person und ihr Verhalten und auf das System Schule und ihre Entwicklung abzielen. In den letzten Jahren wird zunehmend argumentiert, dass sich die schulische Gesundheitsforderung in den Dienst der Erziehungs- und Bildungsqualitat stellen sollte. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Uberblick uber die Entwicklung der schulischen Gesundheitsforderung und ihre aktuelle Umsetzung in Deutschland. Daruber hinaus werden auf Basis der fachlichen Diskussion und der vielfaltigen Praxiserfahrungen sechs Herausforderungen abgeleitet, denen sich die schulische Gesundheitsforderung in Zukunft widmen sollte.

Prevalence and development of workplace health promotion in Germany: results of the IAB Establishment Panel 2012.

Based on survey data from the IAB Establishment Panel, the investigation aims to examine the prevalence of workplace health promotion among German establishments and its determinants. The IAB Establishment Panel 2012 comprises interviews with 15,556 establishments of all sizes and industrial sectors in Germany. We first present some descriptive statistics and then analyse the determinants of the prevalence of workplace health promotion by means of a probit regression. In 2012, 27 % of the interviewed establishments reported providing workplace health promotion measures on a voluntary basis. 64 % of all employees do work in establishments with workplace health promotion. From 2002 to 2012, the share of establishments with workplace health promotion increased by 8 % points. The strongest increase was observed in establishments in Western Germany and establishments with work councils. Most popular among the measures of workplace health promotion are employee surveys and analysis of the sickness absence. The vast majority of establishments provide only single measures. The econometric analysis shows that industrial sector, size of establishment, expected problems with human resources and the existence of a work council are important factors for workplace health promotion. Only a minority of establishments are committed to workplace health promotion, while these establishments provide the majority of jobs in Germany. Our analysis displays considerable disparities in terms of prevalence as well as potential for further extensions. This could be taken more into account when discussing innovative approaches of workplace health promotion.

Versorgungsstrukturen und Qualitätssicherung für Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung in Deutschland

In order to identify requirements of quality assurance in this field, a general description of prevention, health promotion and education is outlined, based upon healthcare supply analyses and 158 interviews with experts. Prominent features are, among others, a distinctive heterogeneity and complexity of settings, suppliers, and interventions; supply of coverage is below public health criteria (needs); weak outcome evaluation; competition among suppliers, providers, and political agencies and decision makers; need for intra- and intersectoral coordination; the lack of evidence-based healthcare planning; and hurdles for quality assurance. A structural taxonomy of quality assurance systems is then developed, consisting of three dimensions: validity (quality of information), regularity, and degree of commitment and obligation. In terms of these dimensions, important systems of quality assurance in prevention, health promotion and education in Germany are analyzed. A number of different systems and approaches can be found. However, most of them share questionable validity, regularity, and degree of obligation. Increased commitment on behalf of providers, suppliers, and political institutions and decision makers for the quality of preventive interventions is inevitable in order to raise the performance of prevention and health promotion in Germany to their potential effectiveness.

Gesundheitswirkungen von Prävention: Erprobung des Evaluationssystems der Krankenkassen im Individualansatz und erste Befunde aus 212 Gesundheitskursen

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement system for the evaluation of health promotion training courses offered by German statutory health insurance companies. In a field test, N=1 671 participants from 212 youth and adult courses for the promotion of either physical activity, coping with stress or nutritional improvement were included. 80% were female. Participants were questioned in a pre-post-design with a three month follow-up. The questionnaires covered health behaviour and health status. Participants' compliance and psychometric quality of the measurement instruments were good. On average, the health insurance companies assigned participants to different interventions adequately according to the participant's individual health problems. The health promotion courses triggered improvements of high effect sizes for health behaviour patterns, of moderate effect sizes for physical complaints, subjective health ratings, and health-related quality of life. Effects decreased after the end of the intervention but remained significantly above the initial values. BMI values continued their improvement after the end of the training courses. Thus, health promotion training courses generated stable health improvements of practically relevant effect sizes. The interventions provided good support and health improvements for all subgroups of participants, regardless of age, gender and educational background. Thus, the health promotion curricula of the health insurance companies offer a ubiquitous and easily accessible but effective intervention for health promotion in Germany, although men are clearly underrepresented among the participants. The trainings may be recommended and used by other health-care suppliers. The evaluation toolkit provides practical and valid instruments for a routine evaluation of health promotion trainings. It should be applied within random sampling designs.

Forest Use for Health Promotion in Germany

Forest Use for Health Promotion in Germany

The Work Ability Index (WAI)—establishment of a German WAI-network

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a measuring instrument which records the work ability of employed people. The aim of its use in companies is to maintain, recreate and/or promote the work ability of employees. At the end of 2003 a ‘German WAI network’ was founded. It has the overall aim of promoting the use of the WAI in work settings (practice) in the context of workplace health promotion in Germany and building a national WAI database.