Characteristics of Participants and Nonparticipants in Worksite Health Promotion

Purpose. To identify demographic characteristics associated with worksite health promotion participation and to determine whether employees with high-risk health-related behaviors, as measured by a health risk appraisal, were participating in programs designed to address these behaviors. Design. Descriptive Setting. A petrochemical research and development company where employees were offered a health risk appraisal questionnaire, a series of on-site wellness programs, and an on-site fitness center. Subjects. All employees (n = 2290) working continuously from May 1, 1990, through February 28, 1992. Measures. Demographic and behavioral risk characteristics of participants and nonparticipants. Results. Participation was 37% (health risk appraisal), 64% (all wellness programs), and 10% (fitness center), with women participating at higher rates than men in all programs. Most programs attracted 10% to 40% of the employees at risk for the particular behavior addressed by the program, although lower penetration (7% to 9%) was observed for the on-site fitness center and blood pressure education programs. With the exception of wellness programs for weight, smoking, and blood pressure, employees at lower behavioral risk tended to be more likely to participate than employees at high risk. Conclusions. Efforts to increase participation by all company employees, especially among those with high-risk behaviors, would benefit all health promotion programs, particularly the on-site fitness center.