By Dr. Janis Davis-Street, Manager, Global Public Health and Special Projects, Chevron
At Chevron, workforce wellness is at our core. Malaria continues to be a serious public health concern in several locations where we operate. In addition to providing malaria chemoprophylaxis (primarily for travelers, expats and expat families), insecticide treated bed nets, rapid diagnostic testing kits in some locations, and space spraying/fogging, our corporate programs have focused on clinic consultations, education and awareness as key components of our malaria prevention strategy. Resources have been developed by our Health and Medical departments to enhance safeguards for malaria prevention and other mosquito-borne diseases. These include the development of malaria prevention training for travelers and provision of education toolkits for distribution in affected countries like Nigeria and Angola. Toolkits include communication materials, flyers, handouts, and a children’s malaria book.
Peer health educators (PHEs), with guidance from the company’s Health and Medical departments, help educate the workforce on available and accessible health and wellness resources. Peer education supports Chevron’s health and wellness initiatives by empowering employee volunteers to influence and act as role models among their peers. Through the program, more than 440 peer educators have been trained as workforce and community health champions around the world. These employees deliver health support and referrals to their peers through education, programming, and activities designed to build capacity and influence positive behavior change. They also increase health awareness in their communities through engagement and event participation.
PHEs mobilize the workforce and their communities to increase their awareness of personal health. For our workforce, a key message is the connection between health, safety and productivity.
Originally focusing on HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, the PHE program was expanded beginning in 2012 to include nutrition, diabetes awareness, exercise, and cardiovascular health. PHEs are now trained to address personal health more holistically and are able to share general health information within their social and personal networks.
PHEs also target world health observances throughout the year as opportunities to educate the workforce. Each April, PHEs recognize World Malaria Day with an awareness campaign. In 2021, observations in Nigeria and Angola featured a digital education campaign that focused on signs and symptoms of malaria and the importance of early identification and testing to prevent infection. Activities also included a webinar and local campaigns through social media.
Chevron’s Manager, Global Public Health and Special Projects, Dr. Janis Davis-Street, is co-Chair of the Corporate Alliance on Malaria in Africa (CAMA).
