HRA: Antiquated OSHA Lead Standards Fail to Protect Americans
While the United States has dramatically reduced environmental lead levels since the 1970s, new findings show that Americans who work with lead and their families are still at risk of developing serious chronic health conditions, according to UC Berkeley's Health Research for Action (HRA)....
Research Suggests Both Physical and Psychological Well-Being Impact Employee Health
A Kansas State University researcher has found a link between physical and mental well-being that employees and employers may be able to capitalize on to improve both the health, and potentially the wealth, of their organizations in these turbulent economic times....
Center for Health Value Innovation Announces Leading Initiatives in Value-Based Health Design
The Center for Health Value Innovation recently announced its 2009 Executive Board of the Board of Directors, a team of thought leaders poised to help raise awareness and adoption of value-based health care benefits design at a time when the Center says organizations, employers and the country need it most....
March is Workplace Vision Wellness Month
Prevent Blindness America has declared March as Workplace Vision Wellness Month in an effort to educate corporations and their employees on the importance of vision health, including warning signs of potential eye disease and safety tips on how to avoid vision-threatening eye accidents. ...
Winter Weather presents Osteoporosis and Foot and Ankle Fracture Danger for Older Workers
Falls and winter ice can be dangerous, especially to older workers, who have special concerns about slipping and falling on an icy patch of ground. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) also is concerned about the increased dangers to older workers with osteoporosis (progressive bone loss) and the possibility of fractures to the foot or ankle, which often happen from falls on icy surfaces....
Maintain Leadership, Help Workers Survive Layoffs
As massive layoffs continue to make national headlines, people believe it’s not a matter of if, but when, their organization will be next....
Health and Productivity as a Business Strategy
Think a few sneezes, a case or two of high blood pressure or a sprained back won't impact your employer's bottom line? Think again...
Health and Wellness: Exercise Is Important At Any Age
Studies continue to support that exercise at any age provides multiple benefits even beyond weight control and weight loss, from preventing osteoporosis...
Survey: Dissatisfaction With Management Top Reason Good Employees Quit
When top performers decide to jump ship, managers may want to consider a little self-reflection, a recent survey suggests. ...
Better Business Through Relationships
Performance management guru Joe Takash believes that the best way for an employer to build trust, performance and profit is to motivate employees and retain good talent....
ACOEM Takes a Stand Against Workplace Depression
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) formally adopted a new position statement on depression in the workplace – a condition it says is an increasing drain on workforce productivity....
Workplace Environmental Changes May Help Prevent Obesity
Simple changes to the workplace environment, such as signs reminding workers to choose healthier foods and get more exercise, may help reduce obesity and other occupational health risks, reports a study in the February Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine....
Five Strategies for Dealing with Workplace Depression
You’ve likely seen the symptoms in some of your co-workers and staff: decreased productivity, irritability, absenteeism, low energy, withdrawal and possibly even anger and anxiety. While these could be the telltale signs of a lazy, bored or unmotivated employee, they could also indicate something more serious – a depressed employee....
ACOEM Urges Daschle to Address Workforce Health and Productivity Issues
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) called on Health and Human Services Secretary-designee Tom Daschle to address the critical link between the health, safety and productivity of America’s workers and the long-term stability of its health care system and economy as he begins work on the Obama administration’s health care agenda....
Goal-Setting Drills Make for More Active Coworkers
According to a new study that appears in the February issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, workplace programs that encourage employees to set exercise goals promote increased participation and steady, sustained progress....
Back Pain and How to Prevent it in 2009
Back pain is the most disabling pain experienced by Americans and, according to the National Institutes of Health, eight out of 10 people will suffer from it at some time....
Who is the Older Worker?
Believe it or not, if you're over 40, you're considered an older worker...
Winter Health Tips
Winter brings some of its own health challenges – from bitter weather to the threat of flu, and from fattening food to depression – but medical experts from LifeBridge Health share ways to remain healthy throughout the cold season and well into springtime....
Decades-Old Asbestos Exposure Impacts Current Mortality, Years of Potential Life Lost
Asbestos exposure that occurred decades ago continues to influence asbestosis-related mortality and years of potential life lost today, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dec. 12 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Workers in construction, boat building/repairing, plumbing and pipefitting may especially be at risk....
Snow Shoveling Safety Tips
The seasonal chore of snow shoveling combines heavy lifting and cold weather, resulting in possible injuries to the back and shoulder muscles if shovelers do not take the proper precautions. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) makes several recommendations to help you stay safe while clearing snow so you can still have some winter fun....
Keeping Health Care Workers Healthy During the Flu Season
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) urges health care workers and their employers to follow three basic steps this flu season to help prevent influenza infections in the health care workforce....
Health: United States Needs to Build a “Culture of Wellness and Prevention”
The United States currently falls behind 27 other countries in terms of a healthy life expectancy with an average of 69 years, while Japan leads all countries with an average of 75 years, according to the 2008 America’s Health Rankings: A Call to Action for Individuals & Their Communities. Some of these differences can be attributed to the inability of the United States to effectively treat disease....
U.S. Health Stagnates for Fourth Year in a Row as Revealed in 2008 America’s Health Rankings
Obesity, smoking and lack of health insurance remain critical areas for national improvement as Vermont ranks as nation’s healthiest state and Louisiana as the least healthy state....
How Night Shift Workers Can Implement a Realistic Sleep Schedule
New research published in the December issue of the journal SLEEP suggests the use of light exposure therapy, dark sunglasses and a strict sleep schedule can help increase performance and alertness for night-shift workers while still allowing adequate nighttime sleep on days off. ...
Research Examines Long-Term Disability Risk for Workers With Back Injuries
A wide range of factors – including variables related to health care and job characteristics – affect the risk of long-term disability for workers with back injuries, reports a study in the December 1 issue of the journal Spine. ...
