Health Promotion Strategies

Brown bag presentations are a good way to create awareness about selected health topics. Community health professionals will often provide presentations of a half hour or less at no charge.

Use employee interest surveys to follow up on employee interests that are expressed. the definition of health is broad, so brown bag presentations may also cover a broad variety of topics. Topics may include physical, mental, emotional, women’s health, men’s health, financial health, etc.

Considerations for brown bag presentations –

• Brown bag sessions are excellent for awareness building. This seed planting process can help employees become more proactive about healthful options.

• Don’t schedule the program for the full hour – generally 40 minutes or so works best. This will allow folks a chance to come and go, grab a quick bite, ask questions, etc.

• When the subject matter is sensitive, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, etc., it’s possible individuals  will be reluctant to attend for fear of being associated publicly with the problem. They will, however, attend if the focus is on helping family members, coworkers, etc.

• Ensure that employees hear valuable information and will leave with tools and resources to carry out the message. Be sure to work with the presenter on information strategies that work for your staff member group.

• Promotional materials should publicize the program with a name that indicates the brown bag focus. Include all other pertinent information like where, who, when, etc.

• Some topics that can’t be covered in one session might  be offered in a short series. It will work best to schedule one session each week instead of several sessions in one week.

For  instance, you may offer a 3-week series on healthful eating instead of attempting to cram all the information into one session.

• A catchy title can draw people  to the event. an example of this would be calling lunchtime presentations “Noonlighting”

• If possible, provide a free healthful snack for employees who attend.

• to keep the momentum going, try establishing up a routine monthly time and day for lunchtime seminars.

• When staff members work in shift or are in work groups in different geographical areas, devise a plan that offers equal attendance opportunity to all.

Resources –

1. Please see the idea list at the end of this guide which offers a variety of resource topics of interest to staff members.

2. Every community has many individuals, specialists, or specialists from voluntary groups (heart, cancer, lung associations), special interest groups (Y’s, Red Cross, Weight Watcher’s, Safety Council, Alcoholics Anonymous), or the local health department as possibilities to present worksite sessions free or at a low cost.

A lot of of these contacts will also provide affordable materials.

3. Topic videos could be used for a brown bag session.