A MODEL FOR WORKSITE CANCER PREVENTION - INTEGRATION OF HEALTH PROTECTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION IN THE WELLWORKS PROJECT

Objectives. To describe a theoretic approach and rationale for the int egration of health protection and health promotion in worksite cancer prevention programs and to describe an intervention study designed to implement this integration. Methods. Twenty-four worksites were recrui ted to participate in this randomized controlled study. The theoretica lly based intervention model integrates health promotion and health pr otection through (1) joint worker-management participation in program planning and implementation, (2) consultation on worksite changes, and (3) educational programs targeting health behavior change. Results. A lthough the primary purpose of this paper is to describe a theoretic a pproach to the integration of health promotion and health protection, preliminary results are also noted. In these predominantly manufacturi ng worksites, many workers faced the double jeopardy of exposures to o ccupational carcinogens and personal risks such as smoking or poor die tary habits. Production workers' job responsibilities frequently limit ed their full participation. Barriers to participation were identified early in the project, and strategies were developed to facilitate max imal worker involvement and worksite changes. Conclusions. Lifestyle c hanges such as smoking cessation or dietary changes may be more effect ively promoted among blue collar audiences when programs also encourag e management actions to reduce occupational exposures. Public health p rofessionals trained ill health promotion and health protection must w ork together to effectively address the health concerns of this popula tion.