Health and social benefits of workplace health promotion in the German Federal Armed Forces

Abstract Background Since 2015, workplace health promotion measures (WHPM) are implemented in the German Federal Armed Forces (GFAF). Here the aim was to evaluate associations between participation in WHPM and self-rated health, quality of life, social as well as health risk factors and days of incapacity to work (DIW) for main diseases reported. Methods A longitudinal observational study (T0: 06-09/2022; T1: 06-09/2023; T2: 06-09/2024) was conducted. Each survey invitation was addressed to about 220.000 employees of the GFAF. Employees who participated in at least two out of the three surveys were included in a longitudinal analysis. The odds were adjusted for relevant baseline characteristics in logistic regression models. Results In T0 23.568 (10.5%), T1 14.059 (6%), T2 13.551 (6%) employees participated. N = 7.183 participated in at least two surveys (military: 49%; women (w): 35.1%; mean age 43.42 ± SD 10.37 years). The chance to rate their general health status as good/very good was 20% higher for employees participating in WHPM [OR 1.20; 95%; CI [1.05, 1.37]) as well as the chance to rate their quality of life as very good/good [OR 1.48; 95%; CI [1.29, 1.69]. For employees participating in WHPM the chance was 12% lower to have high blood pressure (OR 0.88; 95% CI [0.75, 1.05]). No relevant difference was found regarding the ability to work (OR 1.05; 95% CI [0.92, 1.19]). Women participating showed a 13% lower chance to rate their job satisfaction as positive than men (OR 0.87; 95%; CI [0.71, 1.07]). There was a relative decrease of DIW for musculoskeletal diseases for employees participating (-2.6%; no WHPM: +28.9%). DIW for mental health issues showed the same trend (-14.9%; no WHPM: +7.5%). Conclusions Associations can be seen between WHPM and self-rated health, quality of life, health risk factors and DIW. Nevertheless, the study design is associated with limitations arising from the observational design, future studies should take randomized approaches into account. Key messages • There are associations between workplace health promotion measures and self-rated health, quality of life, health risk factors and days of incapacity to work. • There are sex/gender differences regarding job satisfaction. Future studies should take randomized approaches into account.