Defining a Culture of Health in the Workplace.

Define the concept of workplace culture of health in the workplace and what distinguishes it from other approaches, as discussed in the editorial by Safeer and Allen. Identify and discuss the six primary overlapping spheres of influence involved in the workplace culture of health. Summarize the editorial authors’ views regarding the measurement of culture of health and evidence for the value added by this concept. Wood Johnson Foundation and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A culture of health has also been the focus of recent articles in journals such as the American Journal of Health Promotion and the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The increasing attention on culture is a great opportunity to move employee health and well-being beyond interventions that have until now focused almost exclusively on the individual as the locus of change. In our experience, a supportive culture increases the effectiveness of worksite health promotion; particularly in achieving the primary objectives of lowering population health risk and of helping employees achieve lasting lifestyle improvement goals. However, much of this potential will be unrealized if ‘‘culture of health’’ becomes a popular buzz phrase that lacks any reference to key culture frameworks and concepts. The workplace health promotion vendors, journals, and researchers appear to be rebranding the existing set of workplace programs without modifying their work so they actually align workplace cultures with health. This is a missed opportunity. Our goal is to better define a workplace culture of health and differentiate it from other approaches. Webster’s defines ‘‘culture’’ as ‘‘the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group’’ (the workplace being the common denominator in our discussion). These behaviors and beliefs are often the result of a complex web of social influences. Culture, as it pertains to health, is often embedded and demonstrated in food choices, relationships, sleep patterns, work life balance, safety precautions, and tobacco use. Health culture influences us through formal (ie, workplace policies) and informal (ie, how we spend our lunch break) mechanisms. Cultural influences sometimes run contrary to a profession’s stated goal. Take for example, health care workers who regularly share foods high in sodium, fat, and sugar. Culture can be transmitted through formal training provided by leaders and the informal learning that is passed between peers. Cultures are often comprised of multiple subcultures that include unique subsets (ie, profession, work location, shift) of influences within a broader culture. With this understanding of culture, it is fitting for our professional community to define a ‘‘Culture of Health’’ in the workplace to be ‘‘a web of social influences that manifests itself in shared healthy beliefs and behaviors. ’’ Contrast Webster’s definition of culture with that of the CDC’s. The CDC defines culture of health as ‘‘a working environment in which employee health and safety are valued, supported, and promoted through worksite health and well-being programs, policies, benefits, and environmental supports. ’’ The CDC’s definition says nothing about cultural beliefs, norms, traditions, peer