ATLANTA (March 8, 2007) – The Board of Directors of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. (AAOHN) has adopted a position statement on "Occupational and Environmental Health Nurses' Role in Improving Employee Health and Productivity." The purpose of the position statement is to raise awareness among corporate executives, government leaders and other stakeholders of the positive influence health promotion has on reducing healthcare costs and improving worker productivity and to underscore occupational and environmental health nurses’ (OHN) leadership role in promoting employee health. Businesses continue to be affected by both the rising costs of employee health care benefits and direct work-related employee health and safety expenses. According to a study published in CMA Management, approximately 50 percent of businesses' profits go toward health care costs (e.g., chronic pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc.) related to personal behavioral and lifestyle choices vs. only 7 percent three decades ago. U.S. businesses spend $170 billion a year on costs associated with occupational injuries and illnesses - expenditures that come straight out of company profits, according to the Occupational, Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition, lost productivity from injuries and illnesses costs companies $60 billion each year.
"Businesses have found that focusing on short-term fixes for immediate health care needs is not the solution," said Susan A. Randolph, President of AAOHN. "A long-term strategy for corporate success must include provisions for keeping healthy employees healthy, improving the health status of all employees, and encouraging companies to support, promote and actively engage employees in achieving optimal health."
"As business partners to the corporate enterprise and as health care professionals, occupational and environmental health nurses are champions of investing in the health of employee populations," Ms. Randolph said. "The primary focus of occupational and environmental health nursing has been and continues to be the promotion and restoration of health, prevention of illness and injury, and protection from occupational and environmental hazards. The concept of health promotion is well grounded in the occupational and environmental health nursing history and is a key tenet of the profession."
The position statement states that to remain competitive in the global economy, it is imperative that businesses, as well as society, help employees and communities change their lifestyles to move toward a state of optimal health for improved bottom line results, increased productivity, and lower total health care costs. AAOHN believes the OHN, as the recognized leader in workplace health and safety, is in a position to:
- Serve as a role model for healthy behaviors.
- Set expectations that employees self-manage their physical, mental and emotional health.
- Leverage health promotion and disease management programs and services to increase employee accountability for health.
- Serve as a health advocate and expert to internal and external groups.
The AAOHN Position Statement, "Occupational and Environmental Health Nurses' Role in Improving Employee Health and Productivity," is available online at www.aaohn.org, or by calling (770) 455-7757.
Established in 1942, AAOHN is a 10,000-member professional association dedicated to advancing the health, safety and productivity of domestic and global workforces by providing education, research, public policy and practice resources for occupational and environmental health nurses. The AAOHN is the largest group of health care providers serving the worksite.
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