A New Channel for Health Promotion: Building Trade Unions

Abstract

Purpose. Labor unions are a largely unevaluated channel for health promotion interventions for working class populations, who are at increased risk for smoking and poor diet. We conducted qualitative and quantitative research to understand the meaning and function of union membership in workers' lives and applied this information to health promotion intervention design. Methods. Cross-sectional data included a survey conducted with a nationally representative sample of unionized construction workers (n = 1109; 44% response rate), and 16 focus groups (n = 88) conducted in multiple regions around the country. Results. The vast majority of survey respondents held strongly positive views of their union. Focus group findings revealed the meaning of the union in members' daily lives, how members view information from the union, and their perceptions of the union's limitations. Conclusions. The findings provide a compelling rationale for considering unions as a channel for health promotion interventions.