Lifestyle Problems and Health Programs in Ontario Worksectors

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to compare the prevalence of lifestyle problems of employees with the prevalence of health promotion programs and employee assistance programs (EAPs) in nine different worksectors. Two data sources were used: a household survey of lifestyle problems among employees from various occupations and worksectors, and a survey of personnel managers at work sites across Ontario on the extent of workplace programs. The findings indicated that trade and construction have a high proportion of lifestyle problems, such as smoking, alcohol problems and stress, but a low proportion of workplace programs to address such problems. Two alternative explanations for these results are presented.