Six years ago, only two states had laws prohibiting smoking in the workplace and other public spaces. Today, nearly half of all states have laws mandating smoke-free workplaces, with several new laws scheduled to go in effect in 2009. In addition, as of July 1, 2008, there are 2,883 municipalities with local ordinances that ban or restrict smoking in the workplace. The American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation has compiled a directory of States, Commonwealths, and Municipalities with 100% Smokefree Laws in Workplaces, Restaurants, or Bars (PDF) in effect as of July 1, 2008. They also produce a quick reference map of state laws.

If your state does not yet have a smoke-free workplace law, you might consider implementing your own policy. The Centers for Disease Control offer a Decision maker's Guide to Making Your Workplace Smokefree. According to the American Lung Association, there are many good reasons to do so:

• A 2005 study estimated the total cost of secondhand smoke exposure in the United States at $10 billion annually, $5 billion in direct medical costs, and $5 billion in indirect costs such as lost productivity
• Workers have been awarded unemployment, disability and worker's compensation benefits for illness and loss of work due to exposure to secondhand smoke
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that $4 billion to $8 billion in building operations and maintenance costs would be saved if policies prohibiting smoking in workplaces were adopted nationwide

Sample policy statements
Here are a few resources for developing your organization's policy.
The American Cancer Society: Model workplace policy
Americans for Nonsmokers Rights: Model Policy for a Smokefree Workplace
About.com's Human Resources; Smoke Free Workplace Policy for Your Company
CDC: Resources, sample policies, and organizations with smoke-free workplaces (PDF)

Posted by Julie Ferguson on August 8, 2008 at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are you a cyberchondriac? According to a Harris Poll, you are if you are one of the 160 million Americans that uses the Web to search for health care information. While we are happy to learn of so many informed consumers, we think that the term cyberchondriac is bit of a misnomer given that it is a neologism coined from the words "cyber" and "hypochondriac." It's probably unfair to categorize most health care searchers as hypochondriacs - by and large, most of these people would be better called "informed medical consumers."

With Web access, people can find research and information about health matters and medical conditions. Information about medication and its side effects is readily available. Support groups and message boards allow people with rare or life-threatening conditions to interact with others. Is there a downside to having so much information readily available to all? Some doctors might say yes. As the old saying goes, "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." People who are not trained experts may misinterpret complicated medical data. Plus, not all online sources are accurate or reputable, and consumers can be careless about separating the wheat from the chaff.

Disease mongering
There's also the phenomena of disease mongering, or " ... the selling of sickness that widens the boundaries of illness and grows the markets for those who sell and deliver treatments." As direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising became more prevalent, consumers were hit with any number of frightening conditions they had never previously heard of, from restless legs to toenail fungus. The power of suggestion can be strong, as any marketer will attest. While disease mongering is not exactly a new phenomena - witness the traveling medicine shows of the last century - television and the Web have given messages a broader reach. Years ago, we worried about our breath and whether we had dandruff. That seems almost quaint now as we are encouraged to tend to the state of our esophagus and determine whether or not our bowels are irritable.

The real thing
But what of the real cyberchodndriacs? There's quite a continuum between the average person who Googles for some medical information and the person for whom it is an obsession, and at the far end of the spectrum there are some very troubled people. The word "cyber" can be distracting, it's really just the 21st century wired version of the hypochondriac that has been an archetype for most of recorded history. The information-at-your-fingertips access that the Web affords simply allows the hypochondriac to obsess a little more.

Ongoing, chronic complaints about health may indeed be a signal of an undiagnosed medical condition. But, often, preoccupation with health and illness is a red flag for depression, anxiety, or phobia. Hypochondria is not actually about the physical but the mental and can be a very debilitating problem, which has been described as not feeling safe in your own body. In the face of all evidence to the contrary, hypochondriacs may be convinced that they have a serious illness. The good news is that it is a condition that can be successfully treated with therapy.

The Mayo Clinic has some great resources on hypochondria. The list the common symptoms of hypochondria as:

• Excessive fear or anxiety about having a particular disease or condition
• Worry that minor symptoms mean you have a serious illness
• Seeking repeated medical exams or consultations
• "Doctor shopping," or frequently switching doctors
• Frustration with doctors or medical care
• Strained social relationships
• Obsessive health research
• Emotional distress
• Frequent checking of your body for problems, such as lumps or sores
• Frequent checking of vital signs, such as pulse or blood pressure
• Inability to be reassured by good medical exams
• Thinking you have a disease after reading or hearing about it
• Avoidance of situations that make you feel anxious, such as being in a hospital

HR managers and line supervisors really don't have to be concerned about discerning who in the work force is a bit of a fanatic Googler and who is a hypochondriac. The real barometer is performance and any performance changes or inhibitors. When an employee's life problems begin affecting performance, that's when an EAP can be most effective.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on July 10, 2008 at 4:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Globe and Mail of Toronto is featuring an excellent series of articles on the stigma of mental illness as told through the personal stories of people who suffer from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety. The stories also include commentary and insights from family members. It's a multimedia series, including videos, slides and text.

More than many other public health issues, mental illness is fraught with fear, guilt, and shame - often because there is a great deal of ignorance surrounding the topic. Family members who are caring for a loved one suffering from a mental health condition can feel particularly isolated and have difficulty knowing where to turn.

Employers are often in a position to be an 'early warning system' for mental health issues. Behavior changes can be more evident in a routine situation like a job. In one article in The Globe and Mail series, Bill Wilkerson, co-founder and CEO of the Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health, answers reader questions about mental illness in the workplace. He makes an excellent case for why this should concern employers - one that we would like to share here:

Employers must care about the mental health of their employees for three reasons: one, health and productivity go hand-in hand - for employers, this is a matter of legitimate self-interest and huge costs to rein-in;

two, employers - through the climates they create in the workplace - can cause some of the risk factors which affect the well-being of people - chronic job stress, for example, can lead to burn-out and depression. Employers are increasingly being held accountable by courts and tribunals for their role in producing hazardous work climates so they need to protect themselves against these kinds of liabilities;

and three, a good employer is led by good people - by definition this is true - and most employers strive to be good employers. Which, in turn means, they can and must do the right thing by ensuring that human decency is part of their management credo. Without this, they will be hard-pressed to recruit and retain the best people and that goes to their competitive instincts as well.

I like to remind employers that when we hire someone we hire the whole person - vulnerabilities included. And if we didn't do that, we would have to recruit people from another universe because all of us vulnerable to one kind of illness or health problem.

The new wellness frontier?
In recent years, corporate wellness programs have firmly taken root as employers recognize the cost and productivity benefits of helping employees to stay well. Nutrition and exercise programs are now fairly common, as are programs to help people control risky behaviors like smoking and overeating. But physical well being is only one part of the equation - as many as one in five American workers suffer some form of mental illness. Because of this, incorporating good mental health programs into an overall wellness program can be highly beneficial. This might take the form of training supervisors to have a greater awareness and understanding of common mental health problems such as stress, PTSD, and depression, as well as conducting educational and awareness outreach programs for employees. As with many health issues, awareness and identification of a potential problem is the first step in getting help. Many effective, cost-efficient and scientifically valid treatments exist. Contrary to many myths, most mental health issues respond favorably to the right treatment. Your EAP is a good resource for addressing any ongoing behavior or performance issues that may signify an underlying mental health problem.

Resources
Mental health in the workplace - from Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association)
Mental Illness and the workplace - from the Center for Reintegration

Posted by Julie Ferguson on June 26, 2008 at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

According to two recent surveys, more and more employers are implementing wellness programs. Human Resource Executive reports that surveys by both Aon Consulting and Watson Wyatt Worldwide / NBGH demonstrate that employers are ratcheting up initiatives designed to improve worker health.

The Aon survey, which polled more than 1100 employers of various sizes, found a dramatic threefold jump in employer initiatives. The Watson Wyatt survey, which focused on large employers, showed a 28% jump in the use of health appraisals since 2006. The increases were attributed to escalating medical costs and a global labor shortage that is forcing more reliance on an older population. Employers are seeking to reduce costs and to find ways to keep their workers healthy and active.

Despite these promising reports, other recent research indicates that small and mid-sized employers are significantly lagging behind larger companies in offering wellness initiatives. Joanne Wojcik reports on a survey conducted by Principal Financial Group in Workforce which showed that, when offered, wellness programs are very popular and have a high participation rate. But while 26% of employers with 501 to 1,000 employees offered wellness educational tools and discounts, only 12% of employers with fewer than 500 employees offered wellness programs.

If you are in a small organization that is not yet offering wellness benefits for your employees, what are you waiting for? Wellness programs can help to reduce the high cost of health care for you and your employees and can enhance your worker health, well-being and productivity. There are many inexpensive initiatives you can undertake to enhance worker health. Start with investigating the free or low cost alternatives available to you. Some top-shelf EAP programs offer wellness benefits as part of their package. Your health insurer may also have free or low cost options such as health screenings that could be incorporated in an annual health fair. Large national health organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society offer free literature, programs, and resources. Other alternatives include implementing programs that will help employees change behaviors, such as launching walking or biking clubs, replacing junk food with healthier alternatives in the cafeteria vending machines, and offering employee incentives or discounts for participating in exercise or weight loss programs.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on June 3, 2008 at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Almost every U.S. business is looking for ways to reduce the cost of health insurance. Clearly, obesity is a significant driver of health care cost as it often leads to diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and worse. As a result, here at ESI, we've added lifestyle benefits like nutrition counseling, exercise programs, and on-line personal trainers to our employee assistance program. A recent study on long-term weight control conducted by Duke University Medical Center shows we might be on the right track.

In what is being billed as the largest and longest study of weight loss maintenance strategies, researchers at Duke found that personal contact and computer-based support systems were helpful in keeping weight off.

Dr. Laura Svetkey and researchers at four institutions around the country studied 1,685 overweight or obese adults who were being treated for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or both. They asked these individuals to make lifestyle changes like reducing calorie intake, increasing activity, and to follow a healthy diet with a goal of losing at least 9 pounds in 20 weeks. 61% of the participants achieved the goal.

Those that achieved the goal were then divided into three groups: as self directed group; a personal contact group where they received coaching and support from a counselor; or a computer based, weight loss maintenance program that offered the same counseling that personal contact offered, but in a virtual, interactive format.

The results are impressive; more than 70 percent weighed less at the end of the 30 month study. Those with personal contact were the most successful with 77% maintaining some weight loss. At a 69% success rate, the computer-intervention group was slightly more successful than the self-directed group at 67%.

EAP provides comprehensive wellness benefits
Your employee assistance program should include a full complement of wellness benefits. Here at ESI, we offer many tools to our members to help reduce the high personal and work costs that obesity can incur. There are on-line health risk appraisals, discount gym memberships, on-line personal trainers, nutrition counseling, and discounts with Jenny Craig. In addition, members can talk to counselors to help address any issue including their lifestyle.

Posted by Bill Danylik on April 24, 2008 at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We all know that as baby boomers age, there are more and more older workers in the workplace. But how many centenarians do you have at your workplace? A rather remarkable 101 year-old British bloke has been in the news because he is training for the London Marathon. He has to fit his training in his spare time because he is still employed three days a week at a plumbing firm. On this side of "the pond," we have our own centenarian workers - meet 101 year-old Ray Jenkins, who was named as America's Oldest Worker in 2007. This hearty Vermonter has been putting in a 40-hour work week as a maintenance worker on the grounds of the Champlain Valley Exposition.

It's likely we will hear more stories like this. According to the New England Centenarian Study, "Centenarians are the fastest growing segment of our population. The second fastest is the age group 85+."

Experts point to loyalty, work ethic, enthusiasm and experience as assets of the older work force. How ready is your workplace for the over-65 generation? The Center on Aging & Work at Boston is a good resource to have in your Rolodex and to check on every now and again to see their latest research. Right now, they are working on State Perspectives, including statistical profiles and The States as Employers Of Choice project. And for another resource, the Aging Workforce News is a blog that links to news and resources for managing the aging workforce.

Curious about whether you'll one day join the ranks of centenarian workers? You and your employees can take the Living to 100 calculator test (it requires registration at the end) to estimate your longevity. It also offers the following:

• Personalized feedback for each of your answers
• A Personalized "To-Do" list for you and your physician
• A list of things you can do differently and how many years you will add if you do so
• The option to sign up to take the calculator again so you can keep track of your answers see if your calculated life expectancy gets better or worse.
• A yearly reminder to take the test again.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on March 12, 2008 at 3:29 PM | Permalink

Here's a simple thing you can do to help improve the health of your work force: promote and encourage your employees to take the online Diabetes Risk Test on March 25. It's a simple thing to do, and you might save some lives. Why not encourage this in your next newsletter or intranet communication? The American Diabetes Association offers a full range of promotional materials in English and Spanish that you can use.

Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes, but about one-third of them are unaware that they have diabetes. And about 54 million are estimated to be prediabetic. One in five Americans is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

On Diabetes Alert Day, the American Diabetes Association urges the over 60 million Americans who are unaware they have diabetes or who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes to take the Diabetes Risk Test, a imple seven simple question self-assessment about weight, age, lifestyle and family history -- all potential risk factors for diabetes. People scoring 10 points or more are at a high risk for type 2 diabetes and are encouraged to see a health care professional

Among the primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, over the age of 45 and having a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk, as are women who have had babies weighing more than nine pounds at birth.

The American Diabetes Association offers a diabetes cost calculator by state, and offers the following national cost assessment:

The national cost of diabetes in the U.S. in 2007 exceeds $174 billion. This estimate includes $116 billion in excess medical expenditures attributed to diabetes, as well as $58 billion in reduced national productivity. People with diagnosed diabetes, on average, have medical expenditures that are approximately 2.3 times higher than the expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes. Approximately $1 in $10 health care dollars is attributed to diabetes. Indirect costs include increased factors such as absenteeism, reduced productivity, and lost productive capacity due to early mortality.

For another resource, see Diabetes at Work. The site offers a range of business-specific tools and resources to help you estimate the prevalence of diabetes in your organization and develop a diabetes prevention or management program. It includes some case studies of companies that have had successful efforts.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on February 26, 2008 at 12:33 PM | Permalink

Not to be the fly in the punchbowl here, but if a recent survey by Harris Interactive and Kronos Incorporated is accurate, as many as 1.5 million people may be calling in sick on Monday. And if your workers aren't calling in sick, they may be late. Based on survey responses, it is estimated that as many as 4.4 million workers could be late to work the day after the Super Bowl. This on top of the productivity that's already been lost - Challenger, Grey, and Christmas, an employment consulting firm, estimate that businesses weather up to $848.5 million in lost productivity in the week leading up to the Super Bowl.

For most who miss work or arrive late, it will be due to temporary fatigue or spirited overindulgence. But for some, watching sports can be more hazardous. Experts caution against becoming a Super Bowl statistic* - a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine links the stress and emotions of watching sports to an increased risk for chest pains or cardiac arrest. The study tracked 4,279 Bavarian hear patients, and found that the rate of heart attacks was three times greater on days when the German national team was playing than other periods.

If you are celebrating on Sunday, here are 15 suggestions for a healthy Super Bowl party. Also, football great Joe Montana, who has worked to educate people about the dangers of high blood pressure, offers his own suggestions great heart-healthy Super Bowl recipes.

Unfortunately, we don't have any good recipes to suggest for any productivity headaches you may face on Monday. You might want to go with the flow and join the Make Super Bowl Monday a National Holiday crowd.

(*free registration may be required)

Posted by Julie Ferguson on February 1, 2008 at 12:59 PM | Permalink

Tie One on for Safety - Typically, about 1,000 people are killed in alcohol related crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) targets this high-risk time with an annual "Tie One on for Safety" campaign to raise awareness about and prevent drunk driving over the holiday season. MADD invites all Americans to put a red ribbon or window decal on their vehicles as a pledge to drive safely, soberly, and with seat belts buckled during the holidays and throughout the year. Seat belts are an important aspect of the safety message because a buckled seat belt is the best defense against a drunk driver. Employers can support and reinforce this message throughout the month and can incorporate safe practices in any holiday celebrations. And speaking of driving safety, do you conduct an annual review of license status for all employees that have driving as an essential job task? If not, that might be a good resolution for early in the new year.

Toy Safety - With December being the world's biggest gift-giving month, it's fitting that it should also be toy safety month. More than 65% of annual sales of the 3 billion toys sold in the U.S. occur in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Safe Kids USA offers a comprehensive site on toy safety, with tips, buying guides, and lists of recalls. ToyInfo.org is a toy industry sponsored site that also offers buying information and links to comprehensive recall lists.

Handwashing Awareness Week - Since 1999, the first week of December is Handwashing Awareness Week and Henry the Hand has been a tireless ambassador in carrying a serious message: the importance of hand-washing in preventing the spread of illnesses and infectious diseases. Henry is the brainchild of a Dr. William sawyer, an international expert in hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. He employees the friendly, humorous mascot of Henry the Hand to carry frank talk about the spread of germs to kids and their parents.

World AIDS Day - While December 1 is World AIDS Day with a 2007 theme being "Leadership," every day is really a good day to communicate about AIDS and AIDS prevention. Both The National Institute for Health and MedlinePlus offer comprehensive resources on treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, with everything from multilingual fact sheets to information on clinical trials, vaccines, various health topics, and information for various special populations such as teens and seniors.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on December 1, 2007 at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month - According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer's is the 11th leading cause of death for adults age 65 and older. It's estimated that 4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and, unless a cure or significant treatment is found, it's predicted that as many as 14 million will have the disease by 2050. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging, it is a progressive and fatal brain disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, it is the most common form of dementia, destroying brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. While there is no cure, there are treatments to mitigate symptoms.

American Diabetes Month - One in four Americans either currently has diabetes or are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. There are 21 million U.S. children and adults living with diabetes, and another 54 million people are at-risk. In some populations - such as Latinos and Native Americans, the news is even worse, with the rate rising to as much as one out of every two people. It's an illness that sas reached epidemic proportion, sometimes called America's quiet crisis, it is exacerbated by weight gain and lack of exercise. It is progressive and often fatal disease characterized by many serious medical complications, and as such, a prime contributor to the nation's rising health costs. Yet at least in terms of Type 2 Diabetes, behavior change such as a decrease in weight and an increase in exercise may help to prevent or delay the onset. This is an area where work-based wellness programs can have a positive impact. The American Diabetes Association offers tools, activities and resources for promoting Diabetes awareness and healthy lifestyles at your workplace.

And hand-in-hand with this focus on diabetes, November is also Diabetic Eye Disease Month

Family Caregiver Month - It is estimated that 50 million family caregivers across the country currently provide more than $306 billion in "free" caregiving services. We've previously discussed how caregivers are at heightened risk for financial, physical, and emotional problems. And according to the MetLife Mature Market Institute, the cost of caregivers in the workplace may be as high as $33.6 billion a year in missed days, early departures, and on-the-job distractions. The National Family Caregivers Association offers a list of caregiving resources as well as a community message board.

Great American Smokeout - While the big day is November 15, it's not too early to start publicizing and gearing up - smokers often benefit by setting a target "quit day" in advance. Several sites provide resources and activities, including The American Cancer Society offers alternatives: Quit For You and another site with resources for smokers. They also offer a worksite toolkit. The Centers for Disease Control offers a few good posters along with other materials.

Epilepsy Awareness Month - According to the Centers for Disease Control epilepsy currently affects approximately 3 million persons in the United States and is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. The Epilepsy Foundation, which is a great resource for information, resources and networking, offers this insight: Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in children and the third most common in adults after Alzheimer's and stroke. Despite modern therapy, about one million people continue to experience seizures or significant side effects from treatment. An Epilepsy Foundation report published in 2000 revealed that epilepsy costs the nation more than $16.6 billion a year in health care and unemployment. One in 10 adults will have a seizure sometime during their life. One percent of the population -- more than 3 million Americans -- are treated for epilepsy, most commonly with antiseizure medications.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on November 1, 2007 at 12:11 AM | Permalink

Here's a seemingly impossible task—In the middle of your next busy day, put aside thoughts of work responsibilities or your kids' soccer schedule and take a minute to be thankful for what you have. According to recent research, you'll be much happier if you do!

Since 1998, Professor Robert Emmons of the University of California-Davis, has been studying the role that gratitude plays in happiness. As it turns out, grateful people are happy people. "People who show gratitude experience significantly higher levels of joy and other positive emotions," says Dr. Emmons. "They also seem much less bothered by minor illnesses and common stressors."

But gratitude was not a natural subject for Emmons. "Psychologists have a long history of studying things they're bad at. I was always someone who took things for granted." Indeed, his research revealed that a lot of people have obstacles to gratitude. The demands of everyday life and a resistance to being dependent on others are the two biggest. "Gratitude is the opposite of personal autonomy; you're acknowledging that you are dependent on others and that can be very hard for some people."

However, those who make a conscious effort to "take stock" of the good things in their lives as well as those who have helped make those things possible (parents, friends, co-workers, neighbors) report much higher levels of positive emotions and lower levels of stress and depression than those who are "me" centered. Grateful people also enjoy a greater sense of "connectedness" with their friends and family.

Other findings included:

• Those who maintained a "gratitude journal" and made daily entries for three weeks experienced better sleep quality and duration as well as more energy than the control group.
• "Gratitude journaling" resulted in quicker healing of illness and even seemed to lessen the pain of serious neuromuscular diseases.
• A "gratitude intervention" in children produced more positive academic attitudes toward school in comparison with the control group.
• Participants who maintained "gratitude journals" were significantly more likely to achieve personal goals (academic, interpersonal, health-based) over a two-month period than the control group.

If anger, fear, mistrust, or loneliness are impeding your ability to experience gratitude, you may wish to contact your employee assistance program to discuss how to achieve a more positive outlook on life!

Posted by Bill Bowler, Senior Vice President Client Service on October 2, 2007 at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

October is a busy month for health observances. We've selected a few and offer resources that might be useful in your wellness programs.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - A new report on breast cancer demonstrates that public awareness and early detection saves lives: the breast cancer death rate continues to fall by about 2% per year. But it remains leading cause of death for women, and this week we learn about a new study linking breast cancer to alcohol consumption. For news, resources, and help for survivors, visit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

National Depression Screening Day - Oct. 11 - Each year in America almost 30,000 people die by suicide, and 70% of those people tell someone or give warning signs before taking their own life. National Depression Screening Day provides mental health screenings and educational materials about common mental health problems, and it educates friends and family members about the signs of suicide and effective ways to respond to a loved one who may be at risk for suicide. The site has a wealth of information, including a clickable national map of screening sites.

Drive Safely Work Week - Oct 1-5 - The single greatest source of work-related fatalities is traffic related accidents. This annual campaign sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety is devoted to improving the safety and health of the nation's workforce by promoting safe driving practices at the workplace.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month - According to The Centers for Disease Control, victims of severe intimate partner violence (IPV) lose nearly 8 million days of paid work—the equivalent of more than 32,000 full-time jobs—and almost 5.6 million days of household productivity each year. Overall, IPV is estimated to cost nearly $6 billion a year. In terms of prevalence, 85% of IPV victims were women and groups with high risk include Indian/Alaskan Native women and men, African-American women, Hispanic women, and young women and those below the poverty line.

Sudden Infant Death (SIDs) Awareness Month - Despite some progress in reducing incidences in recent years, SIDS remains the leading cause of death for infants one month to one year of age, continuing to claim the lives of more than 2,000 babies each year. While there is no known prevention, there are steps parents can take to reduce the risk. The site offers facts and educational materials, as well as news and links to local activities.

Celiac Awareness Month - Celiac disease (CD) is a common genetic disorder. In people with CD, gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye) can trigger an autoimmune response which can damage the small intestine. This, in turn, causes the small intestine to lose its ability to absorb the nutrients found in food, leading to malnutrition and a variety of other complications. The main treatment is living a gluten-free life. The website offers resources to help people learn more about this disorder and how to live a gluten-free life.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on September 28, 2007 at 7:32 AM | Permalink

It's back to school month, and with it an uptick in the number of planned health observances. The following links represent a selection of the most prominent observances in September and are offered to aid you in your health and wellness communication efforts.

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month - aims to promote the benefits of alcohol and drug abuse treatment, highlight the contributions of treatment providers, and promote the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders in all its forms is possible. The site is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).

National Cholesterol Education Month - the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has adopted a 2007 theme of "Know your cholesterol numbers—Know your risk—Give yourself some TLC." They sponsor an online Know Your Numbers, Know Your Risk online education kit with great information, including 10 ways to promote the month.

Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month - reproductive cancer is often called the silent killer. This year, the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation announced the first national consensus on ovarian cancer symptoms, important information that should be made available to all women. At the Woman's Cancer network, access printable brochures on the symptoms and risks of reproductive cancers.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month - these are blood-related cancers that originate in the bone marrow (leukemia) or lymphatic system (lymphoma). The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society estimates 30,600 new cases of leukemia and 61,000 new cases of lymphoma will be diagnosed this year. The linked site is sponsored by the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, and offers a variety of links to fact sheets and brochures. Additional information is available from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month - While Sickle Cell is concentrated in black populations, it is not exclusively so, a fact that is little known. It is one of the most common inherited blood conditions and is characterized by anemia with a low red blood cell count and takes its name from the presence of sickle-shaped red cells in the blood. The Sickle Cell Center from Medicine.net offers information on causes, diagnoses, symptoms and treatment of the illness.

September 10 - World Suicide Prevention Day - sponsored by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World health Organization this year's theme is "Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan" to emphasize that suicide occurs in all age groups and prevention efforts must be targeted to all groups. Plus, attempted suicide is conservatively estimated to be 10 to 20 times more frequent than actual suicide, especially in younger women. The economic costs of suicide and suicide attempts to society are substantial, estimated to be in the billions of dollars, and reflect the economic potential of years of life lost, the medical and treatment costs of suicide attempts, and the burden of care and suffering of families and friends of those who die by suicide and those who engage in various forms of suicidal behavior. The linked site offers informational brochures in English, French and Chinese.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on August 31, 2007 at 7:26 AM | Permalink

The summer of 2007 is turning out to be one of the hottest on record, particularly in the western states - and it's not over yet. During the last 20 years, well over 8,000 people have died in our country due to heat exposure—more than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined! Extreme heat is defined as an outdoor temperature that hovers 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature and lasts for several weeks under a "dome" of high pressure. See the National Weather Service Heat Index for a color-coded chart depicting the likelihood of heat disorders with prolonged exposure or strenuous activity.

Heat poses severe risks for many workers, such as outdoor workers, workers in confined spaces, workers who are overweight, who have heart conditions, or who are on certain medications. The risks are so high for agricultural and other outdoor workers that some states have enacted mandatory heat stress rules for outdoor workers.

An article in Occupation Hazards on Beating the Heat suggests practical steps an employer can take:

• Encourage workers to drink plenty of water—about a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if they are not thirsty —and avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks that dehydrate the body.
• Help workers adjust to the heat by assigning a lighter workload and longer rest periods for the first five to seven days of intense heat. This process needs to start all over again when a worker returns from vacation or absence from the job.
• Encourage workers to wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Workers should change their clothes if they get completely saturated.
• Use general ventilation and spot cooling at points of high heat production. Good airflow increases evaporation and cooling of the skin.
• Train first-aid workers to recognize and treat the signs of heat stress and be sure all workers know who has been trained to detect early signs of heat-related illness. Permit workers to interrupt their work if they become extremely uncomfortable.
• Consider a worker's physical condition when determining fitness to work in hot environments. Obesity, lack of conditioning, pregnancy and inadequate rest can increase susceptibility to heat stress.
• Alternate work and rest periods, with rest periods in a cooler area. Shorter, more frequent work-rest cycles are best. Schedule heavy work for cooler times of the day and use appropriate protective clothing.
• Monitor temperatures, humidity and workers' responses to heat at least hourly.

Here are some additional resources for protecting employees from extreme heat:
OSHA Quick Card on Heat Stress - PDF - in English and Spanish
OSHA Fact Sheet: Working Outdoors in Warm Climates - PDF
OSHA Technical Manual on Heat Stress
CDC Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Extreme Heat

Risks at home
The Centers for Disease Control reports that young children and the elderly are most at risk for heat because they are less likely to sense and respond to significant changes in temperature. The CDC has devised guidelines to help us protect our elderly relatives and friends as summer temperatures rise - something you may want to circulate to employees:

• Monitor Those at High Risk: If you know someone 65 or older, be sure to call them twice a day during heat waves. Be aware that heat induced illness can cause an older person to become confused or disoriented so engage in some discussion. Don't just ask them how they feel.
• Be Sure that High Risk Individuals Have Adequate Cooling: Many elderly citizens rely on simple electric fans for relief; but fans only move rather than cool the air. If air-conditioning equipment is beyond one's budget, contact your local senior center which may be aware of cash grants or have equipment available on loan.
• Assist with Meal Preparation: The use of stoves or hot ovens for cooking only adds to the ambient temperature during heat waves. You can greatly assist your elderly loved one by stocking their refrigerators with salads and cold plate items which will preclude the need for heavy cooking and may prove to be more appropriate and appetizing hot weather meals.
• Become Familiar with Weather Related Terms: For example, the heat index is a temperature in degrees Fahrenheit that tells us how hot it really feels when the humidity is factored in. Thus, the heat index is more significant than the actual air temperature when the well being of those at risk is being considered.
• Be Ready to Activate a Plan of Action: Be aware of the symptoms of a heat emergency, including an extremely high body temperature (above 103°, orally); red, hot skin with no sweating; a rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache, dizziness or nausea, and confusion. Don't hesitate to get the person to a medical facility immediately.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on August 7, 2007 at 11:13 AM | Permalink

National Cataract Awareness Month - cataracts are the leading cause of visual loss in Americans 65 and older. Nearly half of adults by age 80 will develop cataracts, or clouding of the lens. This month, learn how to recognize the symptoms, find treatment, and educate others on this common (but treatable) eye condition.

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) - The goal of NIAM is to increase awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to the elderly. August is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and health care workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season. This Centers for Disease Control site provides adult and childhood immunization schedules, along with more information and resources.

National Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Month - SMA is the leading genetic killer of children under the age of two. SMA is a group of inherited and often fatal diseases that destroys the nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement, which affects crawling, walking, head and neck control, and even swallowing. One in 40 people carry the gene that causes this disease. One-half of children diagnosed with the most severe form will not reach their second birthday. There is no cure for SMA, but new understanding of the disease has lead to breakthroughs in potential treatments.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on August 1, 2007 at 10:44 AM | Permalink

July is eye injury prevention month. Eye injuries occur at a rate of more than 2,000 per day, with half of those occurring on the job. Prevent Blindness offers fact sheets for home, sports, and the workplace, and OSHA offers information on eye protection. Also related to eye safety, July is UV Safety Month. Medem's medical library offers several articles on protecting your eyes from ultraviolet rays.

July is hemochromatosis awareness month. Hemochromatosis is a leading cause of iron overload disease. People with HHC absorb extra amounts of iron from the daily diet. The human body cannot rid itself of extra iron so, over time, these excesses build up in major organs such as the heart, liver, pancreas, joints and pituitary. If the extra iron is not removed, these organs can become diseased.

While not officially designated as such, we also nominate July as heat awareness month because extreme heat can pose serious health risks both at work and at home. Stay cool.

And speaking of staying cool, we would also like to note that July is national ice cream month. File this fact under "stress reduction."

Posted by Julie Ferguson on July 6, 2007 at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The month of June has been named "National Safety Month" by the National Safety Council, which has been dedicating the month to safety-focused themes for the past decade. This year, the designated theme is "Celebrating Safe Communities."

"Workplace injuries are on the decline, but the number of unintentional injuries incurred off-the-job continues to rise. Since a person inhabits many different communities throughout the day—work, home and every stop in-between—the National Safety Council encourages businesses and individuals to take advantage of the safety education we provide, and reduce the risk of unintentional injury and death in everyday life."

NSC has broken the month into Weekly themes covering different aspects of safety

• June 4-8: Workplace safety
• June 11-15: Driving safety
• June 18-22: Emergency Preparedness
• June 25-29: Safety in the Home and Community

For each week, NSC has compiled an array of tools, including safety tips, posters, multimedia, and activities.

The Home Safety Council also commemorates the month, and provides tools and information for work and home. These include a HR Manager's Guide to Implementing a Hands on Home Safety Campaign. HSC states that its research shows that that home injuries can cost employers up to $38 billion in a single year.

Other wellness observances for June:
June 3: National Cancer Survivors Day
June 3-9: Sun Safety Week
June 11-17: National Men's Health Week
June 1 - July 4: Fireworks Safety Month

Posted by Julie Ferguson on May 25, 2007 at 3:20 PM | Permalink

Wellness programs not only improve worker health, a recent article in the North Carolina Medical Journal by productivity experts shows that wellness programs can have a positive effect on the bottom line, too. May is a busy month for health awareness observances - we've linked several resources to give your wellness communications for the month a jump start.

Arthritis Month - The Arthritis Foundation reminds us that walking can be a first step into better fitness and less pain from arthritis. Check out the available resources and find local activities.

Better Hearing and Speech Month - resources from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Healthy Vision Month - this is a national health observance that has a special emphasis on reducing visual impairment due to glaucoma. An estimated 2.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease. An additional 2 million Americans have glaucoma and don't even know it. Tie in with Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month.

High Blood Pressure Education Month - this marks the kickoff for a yearlong awareness campaign focusing on "Adherence to Treatment." The site has an array of tools, including drop-in newsletter articles.

Melanoma - Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month - Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, and melanoma is the most serious of all skin cancer types. Although it only accounts for about 3% of skin cancer cases, it causes most skin cancer deaths. The University of Tennessee's Md Anderson Cancer Center has some excellent information and resources.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month - according to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which has been sponsoring this month since 1983, "Adults need at least 30 minutes of activity 5 days each week. Children need at least 60 minutes of active play daily." Get some ideas for activities at this site. Tie in with Bike to Work days because May is also Bike Month or National Running & Fitness Week, the third week of the month.

Women's national Health Week - May 13, 2007, and will be celebrated until May 19, 2007. National Women's Check-up Day will be Monday, May 14, 2007.

Other important observances
Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Mental Health Month
North American Occupational Safety & Health Week - May 6 - May 12
Stroke Awareness Month
World No Tobacco Day - May 31

Posted by Julie Ferguson on May 4, 2007 at 10:06 AM | Permalink

Alcohol Awareness Month - sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence since 1987, encourages local communities to focus on alcoholism and alcohol-related issues. It began as a way of reaching the American public with information about the disease of alcoholism - that it is a treatable disease, not a moral weakness, and that alcoholics are capable of recovery. Thursday April 5 is National Alcohol Screening Day

Autism Awareness Month - the Autism Society of America (ASA) and its network of nearly 200 local chapters across the nation are preparing to increase autism awareness throughout the month. According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a startling rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

Cancer Control Month - Better diagnostic tools and treatments mean that there are about 10 million cancer survivors in the U.S. But cancer is still the second leading cause of death, and some cancers, such as breast, prostate, lung, leukemia, and melanoma, continue to be too prevalent. Cancer Control Month seeks to increase public awareness and encourage people to take appropriate steps to protect themselves. The week of April 15-21 is Minority Cancer Awareness Week. This week of heightened awareness was founded because African Americans and other minorities have higher cancer incidence and deaths than white Americans. Many researchers attribute this difference to preventable factors such as less access to prevention and treatment, language and cultural barriers, and lack of insurance.

Child Abuse Prevention Month - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect offers a comprehensive prevention resource packet to support a wide range of service providers who work with parents, other caregivers, and their children with the common goal of promoting healthy families.

Infants Immunization Week - April 21-28, 2007 - an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to focus on the importance of immunizing infants against vaccine-preventable diseases by age two.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month - worldwide prevalence of IBS is estimated at 9% to 23%. Because many people remain undiagnosed and unaware that their symptoms indicate a medically recognized disorder, the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) devotes the month to health messages about IBS diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life issues.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month - each April the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) coordinates national activities to raise awareness about and prevent sexual violence against women. NSVRC offers a toolkit, resources, and links to statewide activities and resources.

Other April observances

• Counseling Awareness Month
• Donate Life Month
• Occupational Therapy Month
• STD Awareness Month
• Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
• Youth Sports Safety Month

Posted by Julie Ferguson on April 2, 2007 at 8:00 AM | Permalink

We have two very public stories playing out in national headlines that deal with public figures coping with cancer. The news that Elizabeth Edwards' breast cancer had spread was piggybacked by news that Tony Snow's colon cancer had also returned and spread. Both are terribly sad stories - both Edwards and Snow are parents in the prime of their lives and both are people who live lives in the glare of public scrutiny.

There are several life lessons to be learned, not the least of which is the value of early cancer detection and the importance of cancer screenings. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to reminding us that colorectal cancer is thought to be 90% preventable and one of the most treatable forms of cancer if detected early. And while breast cancer screenings are not as fail safe, the importance of early detection and preventive measures cannot be disputed. The personal health dramas of both Edwards and Snow will be catalysts for thousands to call their doctors for screenings. Often, public figures who share their experience can cut through our all-too-human tendencies to denial and procrastination and can also offer inspiration and hope to those who cope with their own or a loved one's cancer.

Work-life balance
These stories also have brought the issue of work/life balance center stage as we watch the very different approaches that people and families take in addressing a major health crisis. When Elizabeth and John Edwards announced the return of her cancer along with their decision for John Edwards to continue in his quest for the presidency, it spawned a national debate that is spilling out in newsprint, talk shows and online message boards. Their choice has met with both accolades and criticism, and while much of the commentary may be colored by political partisanship, it highlights the very different approaches that people take to a life-threatening health crisis. Some would retreat to spend time with family and focus exclusively on health; some would focus on fulfilling lifelong dreams; some would quietly continue putting one foot in front of the other, living life with as much normalcy as possible.

One of the matters that is put in high relief in the case of Elizabeth and John Edwards is the concept of the value of work and a purpose-driven life. Obviously, both the Edwards have a passion for their mission and their life's work. Elizabeth's choice is viewed by many other cancer survivors as life-affirming. Regardless, people and families must decide their own best approach. It is never wise to let the court of public opinion be a determinant of how we should live our lives.

Quiet dramas
In the workplace, quieter but no less compelling dramas are playing out every day as workers cope with their own cancer or life-threatening cancer suffered by loved ones. For many people, the high cost of health care dictates response simply because the job is the key to paying for care. For most, life goes on. As managers and colleagues, the most important thing we can do is offer a constructive support that is based less in sympathy and more in respect and regard for the person's inherent dignity. The American Cancer Society offers these basic do's and don'ts for dealing with a coworker who has cancer:

Do:

• Take your cues from the person with cancer. Some people are very private while others will talk more about their illness. Respect the person's need to share or their need to remain quiet.
• Let them know that you care.
• Respect their decisions about how their cancer will be treated, even if you disagree.
• Include the person in usual work projects and social events. Let him or her be the one to tell you if the commitment is too much to manage.
• Listen without always feeling that you have to respond. Sometimes a caring listener is what the person needs the most.
• Expect your colleague to have good days and bad days, emotionally and physically.
• Keep your relationship as normal and balanced as possible. While greater patience and compassion are called for during times like these, your colleague should continue to respect your feelings, as you respect his or her feelings.
• Offer to help in concrete, specific ways.
• Check before doing something for them, no matter how helpful you think you are being.
• Keep them up-to-date with what's happening at work.
• Send cards, and include anecdotes about why he or she is missed. If interested people send individual cards, they may have more impact.

Don't:

• Offer unsolicited advice, or be judgmental.
• Assume that he or she can't do the job. Your co-worker needs to feel like a valuable, contributing member of your company or department.
• Feel you must put up with serious displays of temper or mood swings. You shouldn't accept disruptive behavior just because someone is ill.
• Take things too personally. It's normal for your co-worker to be quieter than usual, to need time alone, and to be angry at times. These feelings are normal, so don't worry.
• Be afraid to talk about the illness.
• Always feel you have to talk about cancer. Your colleague may enjoy conversations that don't involve the illness.
• Be afraid to hug or touch your friend if that was a part of your friendship before the illness.
• Be patronizing. Try not to use a "How sick are you today?" tone when asking how the person is doing.
• Tell your co-worker, "I can imagine how you must feel," because you really can't.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on March 28, 2007 at 9:59 AM | Permalink

March is a busy month for health observances. The following are a few of the major observances this month, with links for more information and online resources.

March 26 - - The American Diabetes Alert - an annual, one-day call-to-action held on the fourth Tuesday of March for people to find out if they are at risk for diabetes. Take the risk test.

National Nutrition Month - a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - Every March, 58 organizations focused on colorectal cancer join forces to bring attention to this disease. More resources from ACS.

Save Your Vision Month - the American Optometric Association reminds Americans about the importance of regular eye examinations for maintaining healthy vision and overall good health. The American Eye-Q survey offers a test of knowledge on eye and vision topics. The campaign also concentrates on the eye and vision health of the Baby Boomer generation, many of whom will turn 60 in 2007.

National Kidney Month - the National Kidney Foundation offers resources, tips, and quizzes to help promote awareness of and reduce risk for chronic kidney disease.

More March observances
Hemophilia Month
Multiple Sclerosis Education & Awareness Month
Mental Retardation Awareness Month
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month

Posted by Julie Ferguson on March 13, 2007 at 1:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been much in the news lately and with an aging and increasingly obese population, it's hardly surprising to learn that risks go well beyond air travel. Sedentary workers can also be at great risk - particularly those workers who spend much of the day at the computer. While DVT can strike at any age, some people have higher risk factors than others.

Many office workers are fighting back against the sedentary lifestyle and some workplaces are starting to look more like gyms than cubicle farms. According to a recent article in Career Journal, many workers are trading in their office chairs for exercise balls and many employers - including Google and BMW - are accommodating them. Sitting on an exercise ball takes a bit of getting used to requiring better balance, but proponents find them energizing and tout the benefits of "active sitting." Ergonomists and physicians suggest they are better for shorter periods of time rather than prolonged use, and are quick to point out that they are not an ergonomic solution to mitigate musculoskeletal disorders. There are several variations, some that offer partial back support.

Many workers find the prospect of a sedentary life less than satisfying, looking for alternatives to traditional seating arrangements. Thomas Jefferson, Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill, and Donald Rumsfeld are a few of the notable proponents of standing desks. Recently, some people have been taking this concept a step further with the treadmill desk or the so-called "treadputer". Dr. James Levine of the Mayo Clinic is a champion of the "Walking While Working" concept, seeing this as as a potential antidote for the obesity epidemic.

And then there's also the Geek-a-Cycle - part workstation, part recumbent bicycle.

Maybe your workplace isn't ready for a complete transformation yet, but there may be some small adaptations that could energize your work force and keep them moving. Exercise balls might be a great alternative in meeting rooms to keep meetings short and dynamic. A few standing stations interspersed here and there might offer people an opportunity to get up and move while staying focused on a project. Whatever the seating or standing arrangement, the computer work station should be optimized for safety. OSHA offers an illustrated Computer workstation e-tool that offers guidelines and a checklist to ensure best ergonomic practices.

Posted by Julie Ferguson on March 8, 2007 at 11:00 AM | Permalink

I shoveled quite a bit of snow this past week and my back is sore, my arms hurt and I feel like a real whiner, running to the medicine cabinet for another dose of aspirin. Just sitting at my desk hurts and I can't concentrate. Through this experience, I thought; how many people struggle at work each day with pain much worse and more chronic than mine? How do people balance taking pain medication with staying focused and productive? How do they keep going each day?

According to the National Pain Foundation, persistent pain is a quite prevalent in this country. More than 50 million people living in the United States suffer from chronic pain. Two thirds of pain sufferers have been living with their pain for more than five years and experience pain almost six days a week.

An organization called Pain at Work describes The Impact of Chronic Pain on the Individual this way:

• Inadequately managed pain can produce anxiety, fear, depression, or cognitive dysfunction.
• Chronic pain can increase disabilities of other disorders including depression and anxiety, and is a risk factor for suicide in depressed patients.
• Chronic pain interferes with sleep and adversely affects the quality of life for people dealing with pain—both in terms of their day-to-day activities and their emotional well-being.

Results released this week from a 2006 national survey conducted by Harris Interactive(R) on "Pain in the Workplace" found that relentless, chronic pain has risen dramatically among full-time U.S. workers in the past 10 years.

• In 2006, nearly 9 in 10 employees living with chronic pain (89%) reported that they typically go to work rather than stay at home, when experiencing pain.
• Nearly half of employees living with chronic pain (46%) said their pain affected their ability to perform their job.

This sets up huge potential for presenteeism, employee mistakes and safety issues and concerns and possibly abuse of prescription drugs on the job. But most employers don't know about the employee's pain until it is quite severe. Employees fear discrimination or loss of a job if it's perceived that they are compromised by pain and many cut back on medication to be able to appear "normal". Unfortunately this leads to mismanagement of the pain and could exacerbate the problem and the associated emotional problems of anxiety and depression.

Company sponsored wellness programs and efforts by organizations to provide employees with healthy living resources are a good way to address this hidden problem but in 2006, only 22% of wellness programs included a component about preventing or living with chronic pain conditions.

In the next few weeks, I'll explore this topic in more depth, share some tips for the HR Manager and the supervisor as well as for the individual employee.

Posted by Bill Bowler, Senior Vice President Client Service on February 22, 2007 at 7:13 AM | Permalink

Ten days ago, we were all heartened that when the groundhog tumbled out of his cozy den and looked to the sky, no shadow scared him back into his hole, saving us from six more weeks of winter. However, here in the northeast, the legend doesn't always live up to the reality, and many of us feel just like that groundhog from October to April.

In early January, I wrote about SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, and as the constant cold and snow seem to block our sun daily, I wanted to revisit the problem and offer solutions. A simple effective treatment that can be used in the workplace is Light Therapy. While many workplaces have become a cubicle landscape where direct day light is almost non-existent, high intensity lamps aimed at the employee will chase away the winter blues.

Light therapy has been proven effective in up to 85 per cent of diagnosed cases. Exposure, for up to four hours per day (average 1-2 hours) to very bright light, at least ten times the intensity of ordinary domestic lighting is the therapeutic dose. Ordinary light bulbs and fittings are not strong enough. Average domestic or office lighting emits an intensity of 200-500 lux but the minimum dose, necessary to treat SAD is 2500 lux, the intensity of a bright summer day can be 100,000 lux! Even changing a workplace setting to full spectrum lighting won’t do the trick.

Light boxes and lamps are easily available through the internet and with a prescription from a physician, an employee’s health insurance may cover the cost. A reasonable priced box with therapeutic levels of light would cost about $280. That’s a small price to pay for a happy and productive employee.

Light treatment should be used daily in winter (and dull periods in summer) starting in early autumn when the first symptoms appear. It consists of sitting two to three feet away from a specially designed light box, usually on a table, allowing the light to shine directly through the eyes. The employee can carry out normal activity such as reading, writing, eating and working at a computer while stationary in front of the box. It is not necessary to stare at the light although it has been proved safe.

Treatment is usually effective within three or four days and the effect continues provided it is used every day. Tinted lenses, or any device that blocks the light to the retina of the eye, should not be worn. Some light boxes emit higher intensity of light, up to 10,000 lux, which can cut treatment time down to half an hour a day.
Also daily exposure to as much natural daylight as possible, especially at midday may help. Encouraging employees to bundle up and get outside can be a great stress reliever, team builder and blues chaser.

Posted by Tina Simson, Vice President, Regional Director on February 12, 2007 at 10:56 AM | Permalink

Yesterday, PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Research Institute released a report that paints a bleak picture of an increasingly sedentary global work force and a rising tide of chronic diseases that are taking a toll on corporate productivity and profits. The good news is that business leaders appear to be among those in the vanguard in combating the growing and costly threat of chronic disease, which is debilitating workers and sapping productivity. The report notes that the world now has more people who are overweight than hungry and that poor diet, lack of physical activity, stress, and smoking are the biggest contributing factors to chronic disease. The U.S. has the dubious distinction of winning the global fatness award, with more than half of all adults overweight or obese.

The PwC report documents some of the business costs of chronic disease, and suggests that wellness programs are increasingly favored as a strategy to mitigate risk:

" ... PwC examines the challenges facing businesses as a consequence of the growing epidemic of chronic disease, and found that approximately 2 percent of capital spent on workforce is lost to disability, absenteeism and presenteeism (in other words, diminished productivity from ill employees who go to work but work below par) due to chronic disease. Combined, these indirect costs are more than the additional direct medical claim costs that some employers incur. In contrast, corporate wellness programs have been shown to provide a 3-to-1 return on investment.

"There are quantifiable benefits from using wellness programs to attract and retain talented, healthy employees," said Simon Leary, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the UK firm of PwC and Health Research Institute Leader for United Kingdom/Europe. "You can improve the health and well-being of your workers while also bolstering your bottom line. The economic case for prevention is overwhelming."

For more resources on preventing chronic disease, you may want to familiarize yourself with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. NACDD is a public health association comprised of chronic disease program directors of each state and U.S. territory. It was founded in 1988 to provide a national forum for chronic disease prevention, with the intent of mobilizing national efforts to reduce chronic diseases and the associated risk factors. Some of the specific conditions that the organization targets include arthritis, cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, health disparities, healthy aging, osteoporosis and obesity.

In addition to offering a variety of newsletters, reports, and case histories of success stories, the site provides an invaluable directory of Chronic Disease Resources - a great page for HR directors to bookmark - we've added it to growing list of links in the sidebar.

Posted by ESI on February 6, 2007 at 11:04 AM | Permalink

It’s a busy month for observance of health and wellness events, but with open enrollment and benefit fairs out of the way and budget preparation hopefully a few weeks ahead, HR managers may have time in February to promote these critical health concerns. Check below for links and available contacts. Remember, any event sponsored by your organization and engaged in collectively by your employees has a great chance to change behavior in a positive direction.

Macular Degeneration and Low Vision Awareness Month
Materials available
Contact: PBA Consumer and Patient Hotline

American Heart Month
American Heart Association
Materials available
Contact: Program departments or local chapters

National Children’s Dental Health Month
American Dental Association
Materials available
Contact: Department of Public Information

National Wise Health Consumer Month
American Institute for Preventive Medicine
Contact: Sue Jackson

Feb 11-17
Children of Alcoholics Week
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
Materials available
Contact: Gail Jordan

Feb 14
National Donor Day
Materials available
Contact: Division of Transplantation Staff

Feb 25 - March 3
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
National Eating Disorders Association
Materials available
Contact: Tonia Brown

Posted by ESI on February 1, 2007 at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Feeling exhausted and cooped up? Afraid that one more dark and dreary weekend will cause you a complete melt down? As the calendar confirms, we are a long way from spring flowers. It would seem normal to be a bit depressed. Yet many of us feel this way every year as the days get shorter and the light fades. This cyclical depression, called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) probably affects many of your employees, causing lower productivity and missed days of work.

SAD affects an estimated half million people every winter between September and April, in particular during December, January, February and March. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. For many people, SAD is a seriously disabling illness, preventing them from functioning normally without continuous medical treatment. For others, it is a mild but debilitating condition causing discomfort but not severe suffering. Physicians call this sub-syndromal SAD or 'winter blues.' And some experts think this is quite common, especially in the northern, colder part of the country.

What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of SAD may vary in severity but usually recur regularly each winter. They include:

Sleep problems: Usually desire to oversleep and difficulty staying awake but, in some cases, disturbed sleep and early morning wakening

Lethargy: Fatigue and inability to carry out normal routine

Overeating: Craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods, usually resulting in weight gain

Depression: Feelings of misery, guilt and loss of self-esteem, sometimes hopelessness and despair, sometimes apathy and loss of feelings

Social problems: Irritability and desire to avoid social contact

Anxiety: Tension and inability to tolerate stress

Loss of libido: Decreased interest in sex and physical contact

Mood changes: In some sufferers, extremes of mood and short periods of hypomania (over activity) in spring and autumn.

For a more detailed description of the disorder and it’s prevalence check out the website for the National Alliance on Mental Illness

What can a supervisor do?
As a supervisor or HR Manager, you cannot diagnose depression. You can, however, note changes in work performance and listen to employee concerns. Contact your EAP and ask for suggestions on how best to approach an employee who you suspect is experiencing work problems that may be related to depression.

When a previously productive employee begins to be absent or tardy frequently, or is unusually forgetful and error-prone, he/she may be experiencing a significant health problem. Discuss changes in work performance with the employee. You may suggest that the employee seek consultation if there are personal concerns. Confidentiality of any discussion with the employee is critical. If an employee voluntarily talks with you about health problems, including feeling depressed or down all the time, keep these points in mind:

• Do not try to diagnose the problem yourself.
• Recommend that any employee experiencing symptoms of depression seek professional consultation from an EAP counselor or other health or mental health professional.
• Recognize that a depressed employee may need a flexible work schedule during treatment.
• Find out about your company's policy by contacting your human resources specialist.
• Remember that severe depression may be life threatening to the employee, but rarely to others. If an employee makes comments like "life is not worth living" or "people would be better off without me,'' take the threats seriously. Immediately call for local emergency assistance.