[Workplace health promotion: what evidence of effectiveness?].

Workplace health promotion is a strategy that takes in consideration the synergic effects of behavioural and professional health risks. The workplace can help to improve workers' lifestyles, based on specific programmes conducted by trained occupational physicians. In this article we report on the conclusions of two recent reviews, assessing the evidences of effectiveness of workplace health promotion (WHP) programs, recently published. Even if most of the studies are influenced by methodological concerns and limitations, above all the lack of control groups and the use of multiple and heterogenic outcome measures, it is possible to conclude that health assessment programmes with feedbacks are capable to reduce the risks of alcohol abuse, to increase smoking cessation and to improve levels of physical activity in voluntarily recruited employs. Finally, preliminary indications of the SIMLII Workplace Health Promotion Guidelines are briefly commented.