Association of Organizational Factors With the Proportion of Healthy Behaviours and Control of Blood Pressure at a Company Level.

OBJECTIVES: The study examined a relationship between organizational factors and the health outcomes (health behaviors and blood pressure control) at a company level. METHODS: This cross-sectional study using data from listed corporations on a stock exchange with 1000 to 30,000 employees that completed the health and productivity management survey of Japan in 2019. RESULTS: We analyzed 886 companies. The presence of occupational health staff was associated with good health behaviors (no smoking and healthy body mass index) and good control of blood pressure. Implementation of education for manager was associated with low smoking rates. CONCLUSION: The implementation of organizational factors by corporations may improve the lifestyle behaviors and disease management of their employees.

Association of organizational factors with knowledge of effectiveness indicators and participation in corporate health and productivity management programs.

OBJECTIVES: The working-age population is rapidly declining in Japan, so the government has adopted "health and productivity management" (HPM). This policy initiative aims to encourage corporations to view health promotion activities as an investment in their employees' health. The objective of this study was to examine the association between organizational factors and knowledge of the organization's effectiveness and program participation levels, and to understand the factors that affect effectiveness of corporations' activities. METHODS: We used data from all corporations that completed the HPM Survey Sheets in 2018 (n = 1800). The explanatory variables were organizational factors: written company-wide policy, agenda item at management-level meetings, regular education for managers, and full-time occupational health staff. The outcome variables were knowledge of the corporation's status on the effectiveness indicators (employees' exercise habits, risk for high blood pressure, visiting hospital after a health examination, and long-term sickness absences) and rates of participation in four areas (health education, exercise program, dietary program, and influenza vaccination). The associations between organizational factors and knowledge on effectiveness indicators and rates of program participation were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: All the organizational factors were related to knowledge of effectiveness indicators, but only some were associated with the program participation indicators in the model, including all explanatory variables. CONCLUSION: Enhancing organizational factors may lead to improvement of HPM programs and higher program participation among employees in corporations.

Development, Success Factors, and Challenges of Government-Led Health and Productivity Management Initiatives in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the Japanese government-led health and productivity management (HPM) strategy, specific initiatives, and success factors. METHODS: Self-described corporation data obtained from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for 2014 to 2019 were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Nationally, more than 8000 corporations participated in the HPM initiative, and performance improved each year. The range of public and private sector incentives supporting the government initiatives also increased. CONCLUSIONS: Success factors include matching the approach to the company's business environment, reinforcing government-led initiatives and programs, and partnering with the healthcare sector. Despite many challenges, early experience with the countrywide HPM strategy and initiatives may lead to better business outcomes and support the sustainability of Japanese society.