Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are major health problems in the working-age population. As the workplace health promotion (WHP) plays a crucial role in reaching this group, the measures for the WHP need to be implemented. This project aims to review literature and gain stakeholders’ perspectives in order to synthesize policy recommendations. The mixed methods had been used, including literature review and stakeholder interviews using the Delphi technique. The literature review was carried out in 5 different topics: 1) policies and legislation, 2) behavioral economics and social science theories, 3) Information system and applications supporting lifestyle modification (LSM), 4) personal data protection laws, and 5) comparison of WHP packages (the results of studies in topic 2, 3, 4, and 5 will be published elsewhere). Fifteen stakeholders including representatives from units in the Ministry of Labour, employers, and employees were interviewed twice. The policies and legislation which provide opportunities for WHP were categorized into 4 groups: 1) health insurance scheme, especially Social Security Scheme (SSS), 2) welfare and quality of life, 3) control, diagnosis, and compensation for work-related illnesses or injuries, and 4) control of risk factors of NCDs in the workplace. Stakeholders had agreed upon most of the proposed recommendations to amend the legislation regarding group 1, 2, and 3, except in reducing working hours. These proposed amendments can be implemented immediately through the Ministry’s efforts. The proposed amendments to the legislation to provide the opportunities for the WHP are: 1) To include the LSM consultation in the health benefit package There is a proposal to clearly incorporate the LSM consultation to adjust health behaviors in the National Health Security Act B.E. 2545 (2002). 2) To include the SSS reimbursement in the first aid room service The National Social Security Act B.E. 2558 (2015) Section 24 indicates that the insured shall have the right to receive compensation when they experience dangers or illnesses as well as receiving health support and preventive care. In addition, the document attached to the Act indicates that hospitals shall collect health information to analyze the health problems of the insured in order to create health and preventive care plans for the insured, and inform the insured, Social Security Office, and the employers to be aware of the health problems in the establishments. 3) To provide health-promoting environment in the workplace The Ministerial Regulation B.E. 2548 (2005)regarding the welfare arrangement in the workplace indicates that the establishments must provide the environment which promotes health and wellness such as installing signs to encourage the use of stairs instead of elevators, building outdoor and indoor walkways, having more healthy dishes in cafeteria alongside with providing knowledge about nutrition for employees. 4) To expand the role of healthcare personnel in the first aid room to be able to provide LSM consultation The Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) broadens chances to upgrade the role of healthcare personnel in the first aid room, allowing them to take part in providing healthcare consultation to adjust health behaviors. 5) To expand the role of the safety committee to include WHP According to the Safety, Occupational Health, and Environment at Work Act B.E. 2554 (2011), the role of the safety committee should be expanded to include the health promotion of employees, based on the concept of integrated health protection and health promotion for workers’ health which is globally recognized for the better outcome than separate operations. 6) To include illnesses caused by long working hours in occupational diseases and diseases covered by SSS Adding illnesses caused by long working hours into the list of work-related or occupational diseases will emphasize the importance of health problems and facilitate disease diagnosis which can lead to preventive and controlling measures in the future.
