The fact that the reduction of long-term unemployment is still one of the unresolved challenges in the German labor market is also due to the fact that the health of the unemployed continues to be neglected, even though it is an essential component of employability - as it is for all workers - and even though health restrictions prevent many long-term unemployed people from being integrated into the labor market. These correlations are by no means new, but have been (reasonably) well known in research and practice for many years. Despite these needs, however, there is hardly any systematic link between health promotion (SGB V; health insurance funds) and employment promotion (SGB II; JobCenter), be it as a health-promoting labor market policy or as labor market-integrative health promotion.

The project results show that dovetailing different social policy approaches in this way not only makes sense but can also be beneficial for everyone involved: A JobCenter work opportunity (AGH, § 16 SGB II) for the long-term unemployed was extended to 12 months and its content was expanded to include a health promotion module. In addition to gymnastics/exercise and swimming, nutrition and back training courses were also included in this health program, which was integrated into the employment promotion measure and mandatory for AGH participation.

The scientific monitoring/evaluation recorded the effects of health promotion embedded in employment promotion at various levels: physical, psychological and cognitive as well as in relation to work behavior and ability. The methodological basis was formed by measured variables and objectified standard tests combined with external assessments (by guidance staff) and self-assessments by the participants using questionnaires. This more quantitative approach was supplemented by a number of individual interviews with those affected based on key questions. 58 long-term unemployed participants in ongoing job training were included in the sample during the evaluation period (December 2012 to December 2013).