The Workplace Health Promotion project in an Italian manufacturing

Abstract Introduction The Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) program aims to improve employee’s health and well-being in the workplace by intervening in lifestyles. The objective of our study was to assess the impact of the WHP promoted by the Local Health Authority Tuscany South-East at a manufacturing. Methods The program was set at the STOSA Company in Radicofani (Siena, Italy) between 31 May 2017 to 31 December 2021, with a one-year interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on an assessment of the workers’ health status, we identified nutrition and fighting smoking as areas of intervention. The WHP project was integrated into the company policy and targeted all staff. Evaluation of interventions was conducted using an anonymous paper questionnaire (Regional Decree no. 1565, Annex 3) administered in three moments: at the beginning of the project (T0), one year later (T1), and at the end (T2). We conducted a descriptive and inferential analysis (chi-square test) with R. Results We collected 131 (T0), 136 (T1), and 123 (T2) responses. The cohort is composed entirely of males (T0 M:F 122:8, T1 130:6, T2 109:14). The median age is 40 years (SD 8.24 (T2)). There is a statistically significant difference in the perception of health status by education (p<.001), type of work (p<.001), smoking habit (p<.001), and the change in smoking habit (p<.001). The whole sample positively evaluated the interventions on nutrition and fighting to smoke. Moreover, the entire sample reported improvements in their diet since the beginning of the project. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic caused difficulties in carrying out the project and possible changes in workers’ lifestyles. However, positive outcomes were observed in the targeted areas. The company has evaluated positively the WHP’s project and decided to maintain the good practices acquired. Key messages • The workplace represents a privileged setting to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent non-communicable diseases. • Collaborations between health authorities and other sectors are strategic to reach the general population.