Reliability and Validity of the American Heart Association's Workplace Health Achievement Index.

OBJECTIVE: To test the validity and reliability of the American Heart Association's (AHA) updated Workplace Health Achievement Index (WHAI). METHODS: We piloted the updated WHAI with respondent pairs at 94 organizations, and examined the inter-rater reliability (percent agreement) for each item on the survey. To evaluate face and content validity, we conducted preliminary focus groups pre-survey, and follow-up cognitive interviews post-survey administration. RESULTS: Respondents found the updated WHAI to be comprehensive and useful in identifying gaps and opportunities for improving their health and wellbeing programs. The mean percent agreement on all items was 73.1%. Only 9% (or 14 items out of 146) had poor inter-rater reliability (below 61 percent agreement), but through follow-up cognitive interviews we determined that most were due to artifacts of the study design or were resolved through minor revisions to the survey question, instructions, and/or adding examples for clarity. Only 1 question was deleted due to lack of relevance. CONCLUSION: The updated WHAI is a valid and reliable tool for employers to assess how well they promote the health and wellbeing of their employees.

Cardiovascular Health Research in the Workplace: A Workshop Report.

Heart disease and stroke are the first and fifth leading causes of death in the United States, respectively. Employers have a unique opportunity to promote cardiovascular health, because >60% of US adults are employed, and most spend half of their waking hours at work. Despite the scope of the opportunity, <1 in 5 businesses implement evidence-based, comprehensive workplace health programs, policies, and practices. Integrated, systems-based workplace health approaches that harness data science and technology may have the potential to reach more employees and be cost-effective for employers. To evaluate the role of the workplace in promoting cardiovascular health across the lifespan, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the American Heart Association convened a workshop on March 7, 2019, to share best practices, and to discuss current evidence and knowledge gaps, practical application, and dissemination of the evidence, and the need for innovation in workplace health research and practice. This report presents the broad themes discussed at the workshop and considerations for promoting worker cardiovascular health, including opportunities for future research.