Flanders’ health objectives: a guideline for your health policy

The health of the population in Flanders is improving when we look at tobacco, alcohol and drug use, as shown in studies conducted by knowledge centre for health promotion and illness prevention VIGeZ and Flanders’ agency for health and healthcare. However, people in Flanders are not performing so well in terms of exercise and maintaining a healthy diet: the average adult spends 50 to 85% of the day in a seated position (excluding sleep), while only 40% regularly exercises for 30 minutes a day. They also don’t eat enough vegetables and fruit.

Based on these findings and a number of specific criteria (e.g. health damage, cost to society, and the availability of evidence-based prevention strategies), the government of Flanders has defined new public health priorities.

The latest health objectives are centred on issues that represent the largest cost to society and place the heaviest burden on the healthcare system:

• diet;
• exercise;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• tobacco;
• alcohol and drugs.

These are the areas where the most progress can be made in terms of health.

The government of Flanders has formulated a clear plan of action and believes that health is a matter that concerns all areas of policy-making. Under the motto ‘health is in all policies’, policymakers are asked to join forces and adopt a context-based approach to address the problem: reach people in their own environment, such as the workplace, educational institutions, local communities, the family environment, etc.

By creating a healthy work environment, employers can make a significant difference in promoting health among the working population in Flanders. But how? Here are some tips and ideas you can implement right away:

1. Share information about health and well-being
   Educate your employees about how to adopt a healthy lifestyle, through workshops and personalised advice, for instance. Sharing knowledge can make a big difference in turning around unhealthy habits.   
    
2. Communicate about your health policy
   Develop a solid, preventative health policy for your workplace. Make sure that all your employees are fully aware of this policy by sending out regular, clear messages (e.g. emails, posters, screensavers, exercises).
    
3. Introduce health initiatives
   Create a work environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle. For instance, you could make free fruit available as a healthy snack option for your workers. You should also set clear rules and guidelines in terms of alcohol and drug use, and encourage all employees to move more (e.g. by following the 10,000-step plan or going on lunch break walks).
    
4. Promote healthy habits
   Nudge your employees into healthy habits: display healthy food options in a more visible location, or add footprint stickers to the floor to lead people to the stairs instead of the elevator. Make sure the healthy option is always the easiest one.  
    
5. Get colleagues on board  
   Appoint a number of health promoters and ambassadors among your workforce. Give them the opportunity to learn about healthy living (e.g. through workshops or coaching), take initiatives, raise awareness about health, and motivate colleagues.