Major

Health Sciences for Health Education & Promotion (B.S.)

Research Presentation Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess health status in the workplace and determine if diagnosis of a major illness impacted work. The research design used was a quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental, one-shot study in which the 19-question survey measured the health behaviors of a variety of employers (n=50) along with 4-variable questions assessing fear. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the U.S. and 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases (Community Health Charities, 2012). Poor health from these diseases impact indirect costs of poor health; including absenteeism, disability, and reduced work output (CDC, 2013). Fifty participants were selected using a non-probability, sample of convenience sampling methodology. Descriptive and inferential statistics reported means and significant differences. Significance was found among employment length, diagnosis of major illness, and the diagnosis of an illness on work. A diabetic diet was not followed by 88% of the participants, while many reported exercising a little of the time (21%) or not at all (18%) (p

Keywords

worksite wellness, employee health

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

Principal Faculty Mentor

Helen Bland

Principal Faculty Mentor Email

hwbland@georgiasouthern.edu

Principal Faculty Mentor’s Department

Community Health Behavior and Education (COPH)

Included in

Public Health Commons

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Health Status Within the Workplace

The purpose of this study was to assess health status in the workplace and determine if diagnosis of a major illness impacted work. The research design used was a quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental, one-shot study in which the 19-question survey measured the health behaviors of a variety of employers (n=50) along with 4-variable questions assessing fear. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems in the U.S. and 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases (Community Health Charities, 2012). Poor health from these diseases impact indirect costs of poor health; including absenteeism, disability, and reduced work output (CDC, 2013). Fifty participants were selected using a non-probability, sample of convenience sampling methodology. Descriptive and inferential statistics reported means and significant differences. Significance was found among employment length, diagnosis of major illness, and the diagnosis of an illness on work. A diabetic diet was not followed by 88% of the participants, while many reported exercising a little of the time (21%) or not at all (18%) (p