Improving participation in worksite wellness programs: Comparing health education classes, a menu approach, and follow-up counseling

Findings are presented from a study to compare four types of worksite wellness programs to reduce cardiovascular risks. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study was implemented in four large manufacturing plants, similar in demographic characteristics. At the end of the three-year study period, the two sites that included individual outreach and counseling had engaged about 46 percent of identified smokers and 54 percent of the overweight into smoking cessation and weight loss activities, respectively. This compares with fewer than 10 percent at the site offering health education classes only, and less than one percent at the control site. In order to achieve these results, the outreach and follow-up counseling was coupled with a menu of interventions for smoking cessation and weight loss, to accommodate the needs of people who cannot or will not participate in classes. The menu includes guided self-help, one-to-one counseling, mini-groups, and full classes.