Workplace Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Policies in Thailand: A Qualitative Study with Organization and Human Resource Executives

Authors

  • Jate Ratanachina Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
  • Pornchai Sithisarankul Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University

Keywords:

policy,, health promotion,, non-communicable disease,, workplace,, human resource management

Abstract

Background: The Cabinet of Thailand outlined a country reform plan (revised version) B.E. 2564 (2021). The plan focuses on policy and measures within the workplace, setting a goal to establish “workplace health policies.” A paucity of research on management, implementation and workplace health promotion; Thailand has yet to establish a national policy framework.

Objective: To study the collaborative policies within groups, clubs and associations as well as policy recommendations at both organizational and national levels, by organization and human resource executives, concerning health promotion and non-communicable disease prevention in workplaces.

Method: An explorative qualitative design, conventional content analysis with an inductive approach was performed. The data for analysis were collected through in-depth interviews conducted with organization and human resource executives affiliated with parastatal bodies such as the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, the Personnel Management Association of Thailand, industrial estates, and workplaces. The data collection involved key informant interviews totaling 35 individuals representing 27 organizations between May and November 2022.

Results: The findings covered three main themes: 1) collaborative policies within groups, clubs, and associations; 2) financial policy recommendations; and 3) non-financial policy recommendations.

Conclusion: Groups, clubs, and associations encompassed collaborative projects and joint activities. Financial policy recommendations emphasized the granting tax privileges to both businesses and individual taxpayers engaged in health promotion with conditions. This included the allocation of public funds for health promotion in workplaces and employments, as well as issues related to the social security fund. Non-financial policies encompassed knowledge management and practice guidelines that aimed to ensure operational  implementation, evidence-based research, public relations, access to advisory services, and awarding the businesses that implemented diverse health promotion initiatives.

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Published

29-03-2024

How to Cite

1.
Ratanachina J, Sithisarankul P. Workplace Health Promotion and Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Policies in Thailand: A Qualitative Study with Organization and Human Resource Executives. J Health Syst Res [Internet]. 2024 Mar. 29 [cited 2024 Dec. 22];18(1):8-21. Available from: https://he04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/j_hsr/article/view/2385

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