Publication
SWISH Policy Brief April 2021 | Request PDF
Request PDF | SWISH Policy Brief April 2021 | Policy brief for a workplace health and wellbeing program for teachers | Find, read and cite all the research you
What is it about?
In Australia there is a high proportion of adults that don’t meet the recommended dietary or physical activity guidelines placing them at increased risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity. The environment in which we work can have a huge influence on our dietary and physical activity behaviours.
As a result a number of workplace health promotion programs have been developed to help staff improve their health and wellbeing. However very few have specifically targeted school staff. SWISH, a pilot randomised control trial, aims to support schools to deliver existing workplace health programs and strategies in the primary school setting. Through the support of Teachers Health Fund and Hunter New England Population Health, the program is working with schools across the Hunter and New England regions to implement existing healthy eating and physical activity programs. With a flexible design and minimal time and cost commitment from the school, the program has the potential to provide significant benefits to school staff wellbeing.
Why is it important?
Educational settings employ more than 60 million staff globally and have the potential to significantly influence the health behaviours of a large proportion of the community – staff, students and their families. There has been little research targeting staff physical activity and nutrition practices in the schools setting, and even fewer in the last decade. This research will contribute to the limited knowledge base surrounding school staff health programs and if found effective, provide schools with the opportunity to support school staff health.
Perspectives
School staff put in an enormous amount of energy into their jobs. A teacher once told me she often didn’t have time to even go to the toilet! SWISH is all about giving school staff the tools and tips to help them look after their own health and wellness within the limitations of their work environment. I’m starting to use some in my own workplace now.
Clare
Desmet
Hunter New England Population Health
