Workplace Culture of Health and Equitable Workforce Well-Being: A Scoping Literature Review

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the evidence base regarding employer-sponsored health and wellbeing (HWB) programs in relation to addressing workforce health inequities.

Data Source

Multiple databases were systematically searched to identify research studies published between 2013 and 2022 regarding employer-sponsored HWB programs.

Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

Researchers included studies based on the following criteria: (1) described an employer-sponsored initiative to improve employee HWB; (2) included employees as the population of interest; (3) provided detail regarding participant demographics, and (4) included outcomes measures.

Data Extraction

Four researchers screened the identified studies with abstraction conducted by a primary and secondary reviewer. Of the 3420 articles identified, 98 studies were eligible and abstracted.

Data Synthesis

Data synthesis focused on research approach and design, as well as work setting, HWB program characteristics, and approach to inclusion of historically underrepresented or low-wage subpopulations.

Results

The majority of studies highlighted programs focused on improving employee physical health (54) and/or mental health (24) or the workplace environment (27). Fourteen studies incorporated a randomized experimental design. Though nine studies intentionally recruited historically underrepresented populations and ten studies involved low-wage workers, none included race or ethnicity as independent variables. Various facilitators and barriers to employee participation were explored.

Conclusions

Despite increasing employer focus on workforce HWB, few studies explored the program implications on historically underrepresented or low-wage populations or subpopulations.