Early preventive occupational healthcare measures can, for instance, prevent the development of metabolic syndrome or diabetes in people with risk factors (primary prevention) or prevent the disease progression or development of comorbidities in people who already have diabetes (secondary/tertiary prevention).

Because of the close link between type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, and their common risk factors, the preventive measures are almost identical, especially when it comes to primary prevention.

Workplace health promotion

Improving health literacy is a measure that is often used in preventive occupational healthcare. Among other things, it involves  educating employees about lifestyle behaviours that have a positive impact on their health. The focus is often on a healthy, varied diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, regular physical activity and avoiding or reducing alcohol and nicotine consumption.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults (18–64 years) get at least 150 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity per week. Active or movement breaks at work can help meet this recommendation and prevent physical inactivity among desk workers with sedentary work. Research shows the importance of short breaks from sedentary work. Even a gentle walk lowers the 24-hour blood glucose level and improves insulin sensitivity. Mobility and strength exercises can also be performed during breaks at the workplace.

Risk assessment and prevention of type 2 diabetes

According to Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG), a risk assessment should be carried out to analyse occupational risks. The assessment covers all workplace-specific risks. The employer should arrange for preventive occupational healthcare measures if the risk assessment identifies health risks in the workplace. Mandatory and optional healthcare is governed by the Ordinance on Preventive Occupational Health Care (ArbMedVV). In addition, under the elective healthcare provisions, employees are entitled to regular occupational health examinations if work-related health damage cannot be ruled out (Section 11 ArbSchG). Employees with diabetes can and should take up this offer and consult the company physician for advice as part of the occupational healthcare provisions.

Certain working conditions, such as shift work which leads to a change in the circadian rhythm, can be a challenge for people with diabetes. Employees who work nights, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Act, are entitled to occupational health examinations. The guidelines on the health aspects and organisation of night and shift work (Gesundheitliche Aspekte und Gestaltung von Nacht- und Schichtarbeit) recommend occupational health advice for employees who work shifts and have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome or gastrointestinal disease. If the health examination establishes that night shift work is harmful to health, the law provides the option of transferring to a daytime job.

Preventive occupational healthcare can also identify disease-related risks, such as a risk of harm to self or others from sudden hypoglycaemia, as well as potential risk factors for diabetes, comorbidities or complications. In addition, preventive occupational healthcare is a way of reaching employees who rarely take advantage of the preventive healthcare provisions offered by the statutory health insurance funds or the healthcare system, or who do so too late.