Synopses & Reviews
Based on European health initiatives on reducing workplace risks and promoting workplace health, Promoting Health for Working Women focuses on issues that predominantly or exclusively affect women, or have gender-specific implications because of differences or special circumstances that exist at the workplace. The editors and their twenty collaborators combine theoretical, research, and practical perspectives to create a framework for studying female workers' health issues and risks. The methodology for organizing on-site health promotion interventions at the workplace is presented in detail, taking into consideration the key issues women face. Among the topics covered in Promoting Health for Working Women: • Legal foundations for workers' safety, in general and by gender. • Occupational hazards, musculoskeletal injuries, communicable diseases. • Work-life balance issues, including stress, burnout, and depression. • Violence, bullying, and sexual harassment on the job. • Special focus on pregnancy and breastfeeding. • Screening at the workplace. • Smoking cessation, alcohol awareness, diet/exercise, and other lifestyle concerns. The contributors' mix of salient data and hands-on knowledge makes Promoting Health for Working Women key reading for professionals in public health, women's health, occupational health, and health promotion--anyone dedicated to improving women's lives in a safer, more equitable workplace.
Review
From the reviews: "Filled with useful tips for public health care workers, the 13 articles of this volume address health and its promotion for working women. ... The articles are based on European case studies but have been tailored towards practical application, with reports on the research findings and EU standards accompanied by bulleted lists of suggestions for health promotion." (www.booknews.com, April, 2008) "This book describes workplace health promotion and argues for gender-specific programs ... . It is accessible to those without expertise in health promotion or occupational safety and health. ... The editors have succeeded in covering the breadth of issues regarding workplace health promotion and make a solid argument for addressing the specific needs of working women. ... a valuable resource for public health professionals involved in the design and/or implementation of the programs. The book would also be a useful teaching tool." (Kathleen M. Vetter, Doody's Review Service, October, 2008)
Synopsis
This book is the result of an EU-funded project on planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion activities in the workplace, in order to address occupational risks and hazards that are specific to women, or that women are more likely to encounter. In 1999, women were 1.5 times as likely as men to suffer work-related health problems other than an accident in the EU. The book begins with methodology on health promotion in the workplace, followed by chapters on several health topics particularly important to women such as nutrition, physical exercise, musculoskeletal disorders, smoking, reproductive health, breast feeding, female cancers and genetic screening, mental health, alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, occupational and communicable diseases. The approach taken by the authors bears in mind that women have a dual role in society, especially in health matters, as they greatly influence the health habits of their family--thus awareness-raising and prevention activities specifically targeting women are a fundamental factor in health promotion for the whole population.
Synopsis
Based on European health initiatives on reducing workplace risks and promoting workplace health, this book focuses on issues that predominantly or exclusively affect women, or have gender-specific implications due to workplace inequalities. Among the topics covered: occupational hazards, work/life balance issues, pregnancy, smoking cessation, alcohol awareness, diet/exercise and other lifestyle concerns.
About the Author
Athena Linos is Associate Professor in the Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the University of Athens Medical School. Wilhelm Kirch is Chair of the Institute for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the Medical Faculty of Dresden University of Technology. He is a past president of the European Public Health Association. He published Extreme Weather Events and Public Health Responses (2005) with Springer, and he is editor of our forthcoming Encyclopedia of Public Health (2008).
Table of Contents
PART I GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS.- 1 Introduction to Health Promotion for Working Women: A Methodology.- 2 The Legal Context for Workplace Safety and Health Promotion: Thinking of Women.- PART II SPECIFIC HEALTH TOPICS.- 3 Workplace Health Promotion Interventions Concerning Women Workers' Occupational Hazards.- 4 Mental Health Disorders and Work-life Balance.- 5 Musculoskeletal Disorders.- 6 Work-Related Violence, Bullying, and Sexual Harassment.- 7 Promoting Health for Working Women-Communicable Diseases.- 8 Screening at the Workplace and Female Employees.- PART III WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES.- 9 Workplace Health Promotion Aiming at Safe Working Environments for Pregnant Women.- 10 Workplace Health Promotion Aimed at Increasing Breastfeeding.- 11 Promoting Tobacco Awareness and Smoking Cessation for Working Women.- 12 Women, Health, and Alcohol-related Harm.- 13 Promoting Physical Activity and a Healthy Diet among Working Women