You may be aware of Life Academy’s successful research project relating to financial education for employees, Learn About Money. You may also be aware that we have been keen to carry out a similar investigation concerning views about health, and specifically the relationship between work and health among employees approaching retirement (those aged 50 plus) – Learn About Health.
Towards the end of 2004, we began our research. The research objective was to explore the link between work and health for older people and to provide some recommendations as to what can be done to address health issues at work for this group.
Specifically, to help companies/organisations understand people’s approach to health and to establish what health education/promotion is relevant in the workplace.
We are pleased to announce that the research phase of this project has been completed.
Focus group discussions were conducted with employees from a mix of retail, government and charity organisations and a mix of employees in ‘manual’ occupations (for example, factory workers, cleaners, hairdressers).
Those who attended the groups were aged 50 plus, all within 10 years of retirement, from both sexes, and from a range of job positions and different parts of the organisation.
Participants were invited to take part in a discussion group concerning the way older (approx. 50 plus) employees think about health and the way it affects/is affected by their work.
These discussion groups have resulted in some very interesting findings which have been presented in a Research report. The Learn About Health Steering Committee, under the chair of Life Academy Trustee Professor Rod Griffiths, is now considering the report with a view to recommending the way forward to the Life Academy Board.
If you would like to receive a copy of the Research Report, please contact Stuart Royston at Life Academy.
