Posted by Health Handouts | Posted in Health Handouts, Health Tips | Posted on 13-04-2009
Brown bag presentations are a good way to establish awareness about selected health issues. Community health professionals will frequently provide presentations of a half hour or less at no charge. Use employee interest surveys to follow up on employee interests that are expressed. The definition of health is broad, so brown bag presentations may also cover a wide variety of issues. Topics may include physical, mental, emotional, women’s health, men’s health, financial health, etc.
Considerations for brown bag presentations:
• Brown bag sessions are effective for awareness building. This seed planting process can help employees become more proactive about healthy choices.
• Do not schedule the program for the full hour – usually 40 minutes or so works best. This will allow folks a chance to come and go, grab a quick bite, ask questions, etc.
• If the subject matter is sensitive, such as domestic violence, substance abuse, etc., it is possible people will be reluctant to attend for fear of being associated publicly with the problem. They will, however, attend if the focus is on supporting family members, coworkers, etc.
• Make sure that workers hear significant information and will leave with tools and resources to carry out the message. Work with the presenter on information strategies that work for your employee group.
• Promotional materials should publicize the program with a name that speaks to the brown bag focus. Include all other pertinent information such as where, who, when, etc.
• Some subject matters that can’t be covered in one session should be available in a short series. It will work best to schedule one session each week rather than several sessions in one week. For example, you might offer a 3-week series on healthy eating rather than trying to cram all the information into one session.
• A clever title can attract visitors to the event. An example of this would be calling lunchtime presentations “Noonlighting”
• If possible, offer a no cost healthy snack for employees who attend.
• To maintain momentum, try setting up a regular monthly time and day for lunchtime sessions.
• If staff members work in shift or are in work groups in different geographical locations, devise a plan that offers equal attendance opportunity to all.
Resources:
1. Please see the idea list at the end of this guide which offers a variety of resource issues of interest to workers.
2. Every neighborhood has numerous individuals, experts, or specialists from voluntary groups (heart, cancer, lung associations), special interest groups (Y’s, Red Cross, Weight Watcher’s, Safety Council, Alcoholics Anonymous), or the local health department as options to present worksite sessions free or at a low cost. Many of these contacts might also provide inexpensive materials.
3. Topic videos may be used for a brown bag session.