HealthPromotionQuote.com

Before you start planning your Health Promotion Program you need to know where you are now and then decide where you want to go.  Completing a thorough needs assessment is vital to the success of your health promotion program for two reasons –  

• First it ensures that your program activities will be targeted to meet your organization’s specific needs so that outcomes can be achieved.  

• Secondly the needs assessment provides the information you will need to evaluate the effectiveness of your health promotion program.

It is often tempting to rush the assessment – namely when time is limited or those with experience already have an idea of needs.  Do not give in to this temptation!  

It is crucial to understand what your business needs are, what management expects, and what staff members want as well as expect, before you create a program.  

Consider and gather data on –

• Demographic Information

• Health Risk Factors

• Medical Claims

• Injury Rates and Causes

• Workers’ Compensation Claims

• Short and Long Term Disability Claims

• Absenteeism

• Culture Audits

• Employee perceived needs and health risks

• Management expectations or desired outcomes

There are many ways to assess this information.  Although some of data gathering process could  be time consuming, remember that it’s however essential to plan programs that target specific issues.  

This information will be vital to set objectives and for assessing  program success.  How else can you know when outcomes have been achieved?

Choices to help gather the health promotion program information –

• Confidential Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s with a Company Group Summary Report click here for additional information on Health Risk (Assessment|Appraisal}s or Assessments

• Biometric Screenings such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar click here for more information on health screenings.

• Employee Needs and Interest Surveys

• Suggestion boxes placed around the organization

• Focus Groups or hosting a luncheon meeting as a focus group

• Sending out a confidential email questionnaire

• Review records and databases including OSHA logs, first aid reports, insurance costs  

Once your needs assessment is complete, the Health Promotion Committee can review the results and begin planning and prioritizing program choices.  

Creating should be based on goals and identified outcomes, Step 4 of the seven step process!