Older workers' participation in health promotion and prevention programs

Background Older workers represent a particular target group for health promotion and prevention. The participation of older workers in health promotion and prevention programs (HPPP) to promote physical exercise, relaxation and a healthy diet was examined in this study using selected sociodemographic, health and work-related factors. Material and methods The data of 6339 employees subject to social insurance contributions (born in 1959 and 1965), who took part in the representative German lidA study in 2011 were analyzed. The distribution frequencies and proportional differences including confidence intervals were calculated. The interplay of these factors in the HPPP participation was tested using multiple logistic regression models. Results Women and qualified employees took part in HPPP more often than the other groups. Persons with a diagnosed musculoskeletal disease (MSD) always participated more often than those without disease. Employees with perceived high job stress (effort-reward imbalance, ERI) took part in HPPP more often, whereas employees with physically unfavorable working conditions participated less often. Therefore, employees mainly exposed to standing during their work participated in HPPP to promote physical exercise less than others. All bivariate associations described here could be replicated in multiple regression models. Conclusion The results show that particular groups of persons participated less in HPPP despite individual and contextual health risks. Especially for these groups, future studies should investigate the reasons for and barriers against participation in HPPP and explore the interplay of factors in association with HPPP in more detail.