JOEM: For-Profit Businesses as Public Health (December 2023)-JOEM: For-Profit Businesses as Public Health (December 2023)

JOEM: For-Profit Businesses as Public Health (December 2023)

Pdf Summary

This study investigates the role of large for-profit businesses in promoting COVID-19 vaccination and their collaboration with local public health leaders. The researchers conducted interviews with health professionals from businesses, health department leaders, and others involved in local vaccination efforts. They found that businesses were motivated to promote vaccination by self-interest (such as the need to keep employees working), vaccine mandates, and the characteristics of the businesses themselves. The level of engagement varied across the three case study communities, with one anchor business taking the lead in coordinating vaccination efforts, while others had more modest approaches. The success of collaboration with local health departments depended on factors such as the resources of the health department and the history of collaboration between the businesses and the health department. The study highlights the potential for large businesses to serve as key public health partners, but notes that their involvement is influenced by various factors, including the businesses' characteristics and the communities in which they operate. The findings suggest that policymakers should consider providing resources to local health departments to facilitate partnerships with anchor businesses, and that businesses' engagement in community health activities can be nudged through factors such as vaccine mandates and alignment of public health challenges with business interests.

Keywords

COVID-19 vaccination

large for-profit businesses

collaboration

local public health leaders

health professionals

vaccine mandates

engagement

case study communities

anchor business

collaboration with health departments