ERIC Number: ED286017
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1986-Nov
Pages: 41
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Promoting Prenatal Health in the Workplace. WBGH Worksite Wellness Series.
McKirgan, Irene
The continuing surge of women into the work force and the tendency for women to remain on the job throughout pregnancy and to return to work within months after delivery have led companies to initiate and place increasing importance on prenatal health promotion. Such programs have been found to improve employees' prospects for healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, lower health insurance costs, improve worker productivity, reduce pregnancy-related absences, result in earlier returns to work after childbirth, reduce employee turnover, result in fewer days taken off to care for sick children, improve employee morale, and encourage employees to continue practicing healthful patterns learned during their pregnancies. As more pregnant women stay on the job throughout pregnancy, companies must pay more attention to worksite conditions that could adversely affect their employees' pregnancies, such as heavy work, stress, long periods of time at video display terminals, toxic substances, and other hazards. Worksite prenatal health programs can be individualized or based on group classes or seminars. Possible topics include genetics, exercise, smoking, nutrition, alcohol and drugs, stress management, environmental and workplace influences, and parenting. (Twelve examples of companies that offer worksite prenatal health programs are included in this document.) (MN)
Descriptors: Adult Education, Corporate Education, Cost Effectiveness, Employee Assistance Programs, Employer Employee Relationship, Health Programs, Personnel Policy, Physical Fitness, Pregnancy, Prenatal Influences, Well Being, Wellness
Prevention Leadership Forum, Washington Business Group on Health, 229 1/2 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003 ($15.00).
Publication Type: Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Public Health Service (DHHS), Rockville, MD. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Authoring Institution: Washington Business Group on Health, Washington, DC.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A