Gloria Macassa explains that every business has the potential to promote or damage public health and well-being as it has an impact on consumers, employees and the environment. A research project targeting business organisations in Gävleborg therefore explores how businesses view their role in the health promotion of their employees and the public at large.
“So far, we can see that businesses are aware that they can contribute, but measures have been limited to considerations of their employees’ well-being.”
She gives examples of how businesses can contribute:
- Start wellness programmes for employees, their families and for people in the supply lines.
- Be more inclusive and take their reponsibility in recruitment.
- Train employees in how they and their family members can adopt a more health-promoting behaviour
“Business organisations are not isolated from the society they operate in, and their contribution is needed to promote public health. It’s in their own best interest, because if a society isn’t well, businesses won’t thrive,” Gloria Macassa concludes.