Introduction
I’m back with a bonus blog entry. And you thought you were done hearing from me regarding Policy, Systems and Environmental Changes. In a way, you are.
Today I’m bringing you a guest post from Kathryn Burnham, MA a Lead Evaluator from State Partnerships for the West Virginia Prevention Research Center. We were fortunate enough to have her co-present two sessions regarding policy, systems, and environmental changes at Active West Virginia and Celebrating Health West Virginia’s 2024 Workplace Wellness Conference and Awards. Katie works closely with the West Virginia Department of Health Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention to serve as a subject matter expert in health equity, social science research, and evaluation. Over the years she’s worked closely with Active SWV, providing support with our evaluation needs as they arise for our Work@Health program and the Capacity Building Grant we administer.
The blog that follows is a summary of one of the aforementioned conference sessions, which included an interactive component where worksites and organizations that attended this year’s Workplace Wellness Conference provided real world examples of policy, systems, and environmental changes they’ve implemented at their worksites. In fact, one attendee reported that Katie’s session was “Very successful in distinguishing between the three. The exercise was great!”
So, without further ado….
POLICY, SYSTEMS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
What is a Policy, Systems, or Environmental (PSE) change?
An activity that aims to implement sustainable improvements to create a context where making the healthy choice is the easier choice. We know that our health and well-being are partly created in the places we work. Our ability to make healthy choices at our workplace is something that we should strive for.
Why are they important?
Actions focused on changing conditions through PSE changes are more effective than traditional individual-level changes alone because they create more supportive environments, reach more people, and lead to more impactful, sustainable change.
What is a Policy Change?
Policies are written and communicated statements created and adopted by workplaces, organizations, agencies, and governments, and are intended to achieve specific goals. There are “little p” policies and “BIG P” policies. “Little p” policies are policies for a localized area, like your workplace. They impact a small number of people. “Big P” policies are large-scale changes affecting entire sectors and large groups of people (think state and federal policies like HIPPA)
For something to be considered a policy, the guidelines must be written down and communicated to those who are affected by the policy.
What is a Systems Change?
Systems change involves transforming and redesigning the practices and structures within organizations, institutions, or networks to promote better health outcomes. Systems change goes beyond individual actions. It’s about embedding health into the workplace culture, making it part of the way things are done. Whether it’s continuous and consistent wellness programming or regular breaks for physical activity through the workday, systems change creates lasting improvements.
Programming can be considered a systems change as long as it is a sustainable program (will continue after the grant funding is complete) and offers at least three sessions during the year. So instead of 1 lunch and learn, have 5 a year on different topics.
What is an Environmental Change?
Environmental changes make the healthy choice easier by adjusting the physical, social, or economic setting around us. Environmental changes help shape behaviors by making it easier for people to choose the healthier path. These changes are key to creating an environment where wellness becomes a natural part of the day-to-day.
Example
Below is a table of Policy, Systems, and Environment Changes that attendees at the 2024 Workplace Wellness Conference drafted as part of an activity during the “PSE Change” presentation.
EXAMPLE | Workplace Wellness grantees who implemented the example |
POLICY | |
Create a policy that there must be at least “insert number” of walking meetings per year. | Columbia, Circles Campaign |
Create a policy that requires all current and new managers to undergo mental health first aid training as a condition of employment | National Park Service, Lewis County Family Resource Network, HealthNet Aeromedical Services |
Create a policy that increases lunch breaks from half an hour to 1 hour to allow for a physical activity break | HealthNet Aeromedical Services |
Create a policy that prohibits sugar-sweetened beverages at meetings and sponsored events | |
Create a policy that adds an additional paid 15-minute break for employees to partake in physical activity | |
Create a tobacco policy that prohibits cigarette use on company property ensuring it includes vaping and chewing tobacco | |
Systems | |
Once a quarter, there will be an outside staff meeting which includes mental and physical rejuvenation activities | |
Provide staff with a monthly mental health day off | |
Offer non-sugar drink options at all meetings and work sponsored activities | Keys for Health Kids, Coalfield Development, Roane General Hospital |
Employer creates an employee assistance program | Cabell-Huntington Health Department, Columbia Forest Products, Coalfield Development, National Park Services, HealthNet Aeromedical Services |
Fruit of the week distribution for each employee | |
Have a traveling farmers market at the work location weekly | HealthNet Aeromedical Services |
Have bring your pet to work days | Arthurdale Heritage |
Implement routine mental health check-ins (create a buddy system) | Lewis County Family Resource Network |
Create walking groups (consider the Walk at Ease program) | |
Incorporate workplace wellness into new employee orientation | Roane General Hospital |
Provide continuous access to apps like Calm for all employees | |
Work with local fitness centers to provide discounts on membership for employees | Roane General Hospital, Keys for Healthy Kids, HealthNet Aeromedical Services, Columbia Forest Products |
Environment | |
Provide all employees and new hires with a reusable water bottle for daily use | Coalfield Development, |
Purchase water coolers or water bottle refiling stations for the workplace that are replaced regularly | Keys for Healthy Kids, Coalfield Development, Cabell-Huntington Health Department, HealthNet Aeromedical Services, Potomac Valley Audubon Society, Lewis County Family Resource Network |
Create mental health recovery spaces for those who need a reprieve | |
Provide a fridge and microwave for employees | National Park Services |
Purchase standing desks and walking pads to use during work | Rebuilding Together Charleston, Columbia, WVU Office of Health Services Research, Region 1 Workforce Dev. Board, Coalfield Development |
Remove unhealthy vending machines from the property or replace vending machine items with healthy options | National Park Services |
Create paved walking track on company property for employees and their families to use | Cabell-Huntington Health Department |
DEVELOPED BY:
Kathryn Burnham, ABD
Once again, thanks for hanging out and reading. I hope these real-world examples inspired you to create or add to your existing workplace wellness program. Active SWV is happy to help. I’d encourage you to apply for our Capacity Building Grant, or at the very least, we hope to see you at next year’s Workplace Wellness Conference.
Stay Active!
Kelly Fox
Workplace Wellness Director
Active Southern West Virginia
