Examining the health effects of an innovative collaboration initiative aimed at reducing social exclusion

• While employment levels vary, some people tend to remain far from the labour market. Various efforts are made from different public organisations to enhance their employability. Nevertheless, since their problems are usually complex and multi-dimensional, isolated efforts are usually less successful. In an innovative collaboration initiative in a Swedish municipality, a collaboration unit was formed to co-ordinate the efforts of four organisations: the county council, the municipality, the Swedish public employment service and the Swedish social insurance agency. Various activities are carried out intending to strengthen the clients’ overall employability and wellbeing in a holistic way. In previous research, associations between the perceived quality of the organisation people are working in and their reported health status have been identified. However, research into the relationship between the quality of employability enhancing initiatives and client health status is lacking. The purpose of the study is to examine the associations between the health status of people that are excluded from the labour market and the quality of the efforts aimed at increasing their employability. An online questionnaire was developed and answered by 80 participants in the programme. The data was analysed using multivariate statistical methods. Associations between variables measuring health status and experience of the employability enhancing initiatives were examined. The data show that the participants are generally satisfied with the activities of the studied organisation but their self-reported level of health is low. When correlations between the perceived quality of the activity of the initiative and the health status of the clients were measured, few significant associations were found. In contrast, cluster analysis defined four clusters in which the highest reported health scores were found in both the cluster that was most satisfied and the cluster that was least satisfied with the activities. Further research is needed to discover the mechanics behind these results. However, the current study will also be of value for organisations aiming at increasing the employability of people who are far from the labour market.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Hälso- och sjukvårdsorganisation, hälsopolitik och hälsoekonomi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

health

quality management

innovation

social exclusion

life style

unemployment

Ledarskap, entreprenörskap och organisation

Ledarskap, entreprenörskap och organisation

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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