European research suggests that a sustained workplace health promotion program can prevent health risks.

A study from Finland’s University of Jyväskylä has followed what kind of changes happened among participants during an eight-year workplace health promotion program.

“Earlier studies have indicated that prevention is possible, but most of the studied programs have lasted only from one to three years,” says researcher Antti Äikäs.

“Our research showed that in the long run we can prevent people in the low- or moderate-level risk groups from transitioning into the group of high-level health risks.”

Health risks tend to get more common as people age. However, this study showed no statistically significant growth in the total number of health risks in the target population.

“Our research team detected improvements as well as deterioration among the participants, which means that the overall change was minimal,” Mr Äikäs notes. 

“The results are encouraging for maintaining working ability and enhancing national health.”

The full study is accessible here.