Disseminating Evidence-Based Interventions in Small, Low-Wage Worksites: A Randomized Controlled Trial in King County, Washington (2014-2017)

Am J Public Health. 2019 Dec;109(12):1739-1746. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305313. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Abstract

Objectives. To determine whether (1) participating in HealthLinks, and (2) adding wellness committees to HealthLinks increases worksites' evidence-based intervention (EBI) implementation.Methods. We developed HealthLinks to disseminate EBIs to small, low-wage worksites. From 2014 to 2017, we conducted a site-randomized trial in King County, Washington, with 68 small worksites (20-200 employees). We assigned worksites to 1 of 3 arms: HealthLinks, HealthLinks plus wellness committee (HealthLinks+), or delayed control. At baseline, 15 months, and 24 months, we assessed worksites' EBI implementation on a 0% to 100% scale and employees' perceived support for their health behaviors.Results. Postintervention EBI scores in both intervention arms (HealthLinks and HealthLinks+) were significantly higher than in the control arm at 15 months (51%, 51%, and 23%, respectively) and at 24 months (33%, 37%, and 24%, respectively; P < .001). Employees in the intervention arms perceived greater support for their health at 15 and 24 months than did employees in control worksites.Conclusions. HealthLinks is an effective strategy for disseminating EBIs to small worksites in low-wage industries.Public Health Implications. Future research should focus on scaling up HealthLinks, improving EBI maintenance, and measuring impact of these on health behavior.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Occupational Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Program Evaluation
  • Small Business / organization & administration*
  • Small Business / statistics & numerical data
  • Washington
  • Workplace / organization & administration*
  • Workplace / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult