Working Hearts: A Web-Based Cardiovascular and Mental Health Toolkit for Warehouse and Shift Workers
Harmon II, Wayne
Citations
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality among working-age adults, with increasing evidence linking occupational stress, shift work, and long work hours to elevated cardiovascular risk. Warehouse and shift workers are disproportionately exposed to chronic stress, circadian disruption, fatigue, and structural barriers that limit access to preventive health resources. Despite documented associations between occupational determinants and cardiovascular morbidity, few interventions are specifically tailored to the realities of shift-based employment. The purpose of this capstone project was to develop Working Hearts, a theory-informed, web-based cardiovascular and stress-management toolkit designed for warehouse and shift workers. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory and the Social Ecological Model, the intervention integrates occupational health research, stress physiology evidence, and digital health promotion strategies into a scalable and accessible format. The toolkit includes educational modules on cardiovascular risk, stress physiology, sleep hygiene, and shift-compatible behavioral strategies, as well as practical micro-interventions designed for short break periods. A structured logic model and implementation framework were developed to support future pilot testing and workplace integration. The project demonstrates how interdisciplinary evidence can be translated into a feasible digital intervention tailored to occupational constraints. By addressing both behavioral and structural determinants of cardiovascular risk, Working Hearts contributes to advancing chronic disease prevention within high-demand work environments and aligns with broader public health efforts to integrate worker well-being into occupational health systems.
