A study of health promotion programs of selected Tennessee employers

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the current status of health promotion programs in order to develop a profile of the health promotion programs conducted by employers with over 100 employees in the state of Tennessee. Secondary purposes were to report the perceived effects of these programs on selected variables, to report the effects of selected variables on programs, and to project industrial health promotion needs in Tennessee.

This study consisted of a telephone survey of 226 randomly selected employers in the state of Tennessee. The listing was secured from the Tennessee Department of Employment Security with the assistance of the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment. Telephone interviews were conducted by the researcher making use of an instrument used previously in a similar study in California and developed by Fielding and Breslow.

The analysis of the findings of this investigation led to the following conclusions:

1. Health promotion programs in Tennessee consist primarily of accident prevention services.

2. Most Tennessee employers do not know what their health promotion program costs.

3. Health promotion programs in industry in Tennessee are primarily implemented by top management support or initiative.

4. Of all agencies available, the American Red Cross seems to be the most frequently used by Tennessee employers.

5. Tennessee employers perceive that health promotion programs benefit employee health and morale, and reduce accidents.

6. Health promotion in industry in Tennessee is a relatively new endeavor and a number of industries have no idea where to go for technical advice in implementing a program.