Improving Your Business Through a Culture of Health from edX

While the United States is one of the world’s wealthiest nations, it is far from the healthiest. Our nation’s burden of disease affects businesses every day, from sick employees and families reducing productivity and increasing costs, to product recalls and failures, to environmental scandals such as toxic chemical emissions harming communities and reputations.

Named Runner Up for Best Online Program of 2018 by ProEd, this HarvardX course is presented by leading faculty from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Business School and will provide businesses with strategies, tactics, and tools to gain a competitive advantage by implementing a Culture of Health to address these issues and stay ahead. Embracing a Culture of Health can improve your employees’ well-being as well as the health of your consumers, your communities, and the environment. A Culture of Health can help you to reduce costs, increase revenues and profits, and enhance your company’s reputation.

For example, employees who work in a healthy and safe environment spend less time away from work for health reasons, decreasing interruptions, while increasing output and employee retention. When employees and customers spend less on health care, they have more disposable income to spend on non–health care needs, boosting the economy, and benefiting your business.

Strengthening your business using the Culture of Health approach will enhance the greater good by promoting well-being—benefitting society, your business and employees, your customers and communities, and you.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The business case to adopt a culture of health
The ways you are already involved in health, whether you realize it or not
How to implement a culture of health in your business to gain a competitive advantage

How to reduce costs, increase revenues, and enhance your business’s reputation using a culture of health
Real-world examples of culture of health implementation that could apply to your business

The business case to adopt a culture of health
The ways you are already involved in health, whether you realize it or not
How to implement a culture of health in your business to gain a competitive advantage
How to reduce costs, increase revenues, and enhance your business’s reputation using a culture of health
Real-world examples of culture of health implementation that could apply to your business

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Emphasizes the importance of health in business, highlighting the benefits of a Culture of Health approach for employee well-being, reduced costs, increased revenue, and enhanced reputation

Led by distinguished faculty from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Business School, who bring expertise and credibility to the course material

Provides practical strategies, tactics, and tools for businesses to implement a Culture of Health and gain a competitive advantage

Well-structured with a clear focus on the business case for adopting a Culture of Health, its implementation, and potential benefits

Offers real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the successful implementation of a Culture of Health in various business contexts

Reviews summary

Business advantage through workplace health

According to students, this course offers a highly valuable and insightful exploration of how to improve business performance through a Culture of Health. Learners frequently praise the expert instructors from Harvard and the compelling real-world examples and case studies provided. While many find the course content practical and actionable for their roles, some experienced professionals note that the material can be somewhat theoretical or repetitive if they are already familiar with basic concepts. Overall, it is considered a strong foundational course for understanding the tangible business benefits of prioritizing employee, consumer, and community well-being, though some wish for more concrete implementation tools.

Ideal for those new to the topic or seeking an overview.

"It's a good introduction, but perhaps not deep enough for experienced professionals looking for advanced tactics."

"It's best suited for those new to the concept or looking for a holistic overview. More advanced practitioners might find it basic."

"While the overall message is important, some sections felt a bit generic."

Provides a comprehensive overview of the Culture of Health.

"A well-structured course with a lot of valuable information... a strong foundation."

"Solid course from a reputable institution. The foundational principles are well-covered."

"It truly highlighted the ROI of a healthy workforce."

Taught by highly knowledgeable Harvard faculty.

"The instructors were excellent, and the case studies were particularly helpful."

"I appreciated the Harvard faculty's expertise."

"The instructors were engaging and clearly experts in their fields."

Delivers actionable strategies for business improvement.

"This course was incredibly insightful and provided practical, actionable strategies for integrating health into our business model."

"Loved the practical insights and the way it connected health outcomes to tangible business benefits."

"I immediately started thinking about applications within my company."

More conceptual, less focused on detailed 'how-to' guides.

"Some parts felt a bit theoretical, and I would have liked more concrete examples or templates for implementation."

"Expected more practical tools. It felt like a long advertisement for the 'Culture of Health' concept without enough how-to guides."

"Good for conceptual understanding, but not for direct application if you're looking for detailed implementation plans."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Improving Your Business Through a Culture of Health with these activities:

Find a Mentor in the Healthcare Industry

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Finding a mentor can provide you with guidance and support as you navigate your career in the healthcare industry.

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Identify your career goals and the skills you want to develop.
Attend industry events and network with professionals.
Reach out to potential mentors and ask for their guidance.

Gather relevant materials

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Having all the necessary materials organized and accessible will help you stay on track and make the most of your learning.

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Collect and organize notes, assignments, and readings.
Make digital copies of important materials for easy access.

Organize course materials

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Organizing your coursework can help you review what you have learned and identify areas where you need additional support or understanding.

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12 other activities

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Review Current Health News

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Current health news articles will help you understand relevant real-world applications and examples of concepts discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Global Health

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Visit a news website or app focusing on health topics, such as the WHO website, Healthline, or WebMD.
Read 2-3 articles on a variety of topics, such as disease prevention, healthcare policy, or emerging technologies.
Take notes on key points and any questions you have.

Read 'The Power of Habit' by Charles Duhigg

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This book provides insights into how habits are formed and how they can be changed, which can be applied to understanding and improving health behaviors.

View Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Set aside 30 minutes each day for reading.
Take notes and highlight important passages.

Explore Harvard Health Publishing

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Harvard Health Publishing provides reliable and up-to-date health information that can supplement your understanding of the material covered in the course.

Browse courses on Patient Education

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Visit the Harvard Health Publishing website.
Search for articles on topics you're interested in, such as nutrition, fitness, or stress management.
Read the articles and complete any interactive quizzes or exercises.

Explore online resources and tutorials

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Taking advantage of online resources and tutorials can provide valuable insights and help you delve deeper into the concepts covered in the course.

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Search for online tutorials and videos related to the course topics.
Follow along with the tutorials and take notes.

Join a Health Discussion Group

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Participating in a discussion group will allow you to connect with others who are interested in health, share your knowledge, and learn from others.

Browse courses on Community Health

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Find a health discussion group in your community or online.
Attend meetings regularly and participate in discussions.
Respect the opinions of others and be willing to share your own.

Engage in discussions and group activities

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Participating in discussions and group activities can facilitate knowledge sharing and help you gain diverse perspectives on the course material.

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Join online forums or discussion groups related to the course.
Actively participate in discussions and share your insights.

Attend a Health and Wellness Workshop

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Attending a workshop will provide you with the opportunity to learn from experts, network with other professionals, and gain practical skills in health and wellness.

Browse courses on Health Promotion

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Research health and wellness workshops in your area.
Choose a workshop that aligns with your interests.
Register for the workshop and attend all sessions.

Create a Health Education Blog Post

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Writing a blog post about a health topic will help you solidify your understanding of the material and improve your communication skills.

Browse courses on Health Communication

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Choose a health topic that you're interested in.
Research the topic thoroughly using credible sources.
Write a blog post that is clear, concise, and engaging.
Proofread your post and ask for feedback from a friend or family member.
Publish your post on a blog or social media platform.

Volunteer at a local health organization

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Volunteering at a health organization will provide you with practical experience and insights into the real-world applications of public health principles.

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Find a local health organization that aligns with your interests.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer at a Local Health Clinic

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Volunteering at a health clinic will provide you with hands-on experience in a healthcare setting and help you develop your interpersonal skills.

Browse courses on Community Health

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Find a local health clinic that accepts volunteers.
Apply to volunteer and complete the required training.
Volunteer regularly and assist with tasks as assigned.

Develop a health promotion plan for a specific organization

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Creating a health promotion plan will allow you to apply the principles and strategies discussed in the course to a real-world scenario.

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Choose an organization and research its health needs.
Develop a comprehensive health promotion plan based on your research.

Develop a Workplace Health Promotion Plan

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Creating a workplace health promotion plan will allow you to apply the principles of culture of health to a real-world setting.

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Identify the health needs of your employees.
Research and identify evidence-based health promotion strategies.
Develop a comprehensive plan that includes goals, objectives, and implementation strategies.
Present your plan to management and stakeholders.
Implement and evaluate your plan.

Career center

Learners who complete Improving Your Business Through a Culture of Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Health Educator

Health Educators help people learn about and make choices that promote health. In taking a course on Culture of Health, you will gain tactics and strategies that you can apply to educate people about the importance of health. This course can be especially useful to Health Educators because it provides examples of Culture of Health implementation that could be applied to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Public Health Administrator

Public Health Administrators plan, implement, and evaluate public health programs. A course on Culture of Health can give you the tools and knowledge you need to excel in this role. Specifically, this course can help you learn how to implement a Culture of Health in a variety of settings, such as workplaces, schools, and communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Administrator

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts provide expertise to policymakers on the development and implementation of health policy. By taking a course on Culture of Health, you will gain a deep understanding of the factors that influence health. This knowledge can be invaluable in your role as a Health Policy Analyst, as it can help you to develop and advocate for policies that improve the health of the public.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists study the relationship between the environment and human health. A course on Culture of Health can help you to understand the impact that the environment can have on health, and how to mitigate these risks. This knowledge can be especially useful in your role as an Environmental Health Scientist, as it can help you to develop and implement programs that protect the environment and promote public health.

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Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists protect the health and safety of workers. A course on Culture of Health can help you to understand the factors that can influence workplace health and safety, and how to develop and implement programs that promote a healthy and safe work environment. This knowledge can be invaluable in your role as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, as it can help you to prevent accidents and injuries, and promote the health of workers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

Wellness Coordinator

Wellness Coordinators plan and implement wellness programs for employees. A course on Culture of Health can help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Specifically, this course can help you to learn how to create and implement wellness programs that are tailored to the needs of your employees, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.

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Health Promotion Specialist

Health Promotion Specialists develop and implement programs that promote health and prevent disease. A course on Culture of Health can help you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Specifically, this course can help you to learn how to develop and implement health promotion programs that are tailored to the needs of your target audience, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers provide health education and support to individuals and families in their communities. A course on Culture of Health can help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Specifically, this course can help you to learn how to build relationships with community members, and how to develop and implement health education programs that are tailored to the needs of your community.

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Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers oversee the development and implementation of corporate social responsibility programs. A course on Culture of Health can help you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Specifically, this course can help you to learn how to develop and implement corporate social responsibility programs that are aligned with the values of your company, and how to measure the impact of these programs.

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Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers oversee the development and implementation of sustainability programs for their organizations. A course on Culture of Health can help you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Specifically, this course can help you to learn how to develop and implement sustainability programs that are aligned with the values of your organization, and how to measure the impact of these programs.

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Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers develop and implement public relations campaigns for their organizations. A course on Culture of Health can help you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Specifically, this course can help you to learn how to develop and implement public relations campaigns that are aligned with the values of your organization, and how to measure the impact of these campaigns.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns for their organizations. A course on Culture of Health can help you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Specifically, this course can help you to learn how to develop and implement marketing campaigns that are aligned with the values of your organization, and how to measure the impact of these campaigns.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers develop and implement business development strategies for their organizations. A course on Culture of Health can help you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Specifically, this course can help you to learn how to develop and implement business development strategies that are aligned with the values of your organization, and how to measure the impact of these strategies.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and execute projects for their organizations. A course on Culture of Health may be useful to you in this role, as it can help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to manage projects that are related to health and wellness.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of their organizations. A course on Culture of Health may be useful to you in this role, as it can help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to manage operations that are related to health and wellness.

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