Health Care


More Hispanics Hospitalized for Preventable Hospitalizations

Hispanic adults from both poor and wealthy communities are much more likely than whites to be hospitalized for health problems that good quality outpatient care can prevent or control, such as uncontrolled diabetes and heart ailments, according to the latest report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Wealthy communities in this report have average annual household incomes of $62,000 or greater.

Ansell Releases 8th Edition of Chemical Resistance Guide

Featuring updated permeation and degradation data, the comprehensive document is designed to allow users to accurately search for the right protective glove specifically for chemical applications.

Florida Study finds Prescription Drugs Cost More in Poor Areas

Four of the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States can cost 15 percent more on average in the poorest neighborhoods of Florida, according to a study comparing retail pharmacy prices around the state.

Six Common Illnesses among Older Americans Cost More Than $196 Billion

Six major illnesses common among Americans age 65 and older cost more than $196 billion in 2007, according to estimates by researchers at RTI International.

Survey Finds Large Employers Value Wellness Programs

While the number of smaller employers (those with less than 500 employees) that offer a wellness program has remained steady the last two years at 16 percent, MetLife’s Sixth Annual Employee Benefits Trends Study found that nine out of 10 (94 percent) companies, both large and small, that offer a wellness program believe they are effective for reducing medical costs.

NIOSH Recommends PPE to Prevent Hazardous Drugs Exposure

Exposure may occur when a worker handles drug vials; compounds, administers, or disposes of hazardous drugs; cleans spills; or touches contaminated surfaces.

landscape worker

NIOSH Fact Sheet Tallies Landscaping Fatalities

At 25 deaths on average per 100,000 workers in 2003-2006, this industry is on par with high-risk industries such as agriculture and mining. About a third of those who died of injuries in landscaping were self-employed.

Novartis Replacing Flu Vaccine Syringes with Fixed Needle

The syringes have been distributed nationwide; Novartis said in August it planned to have 20 million doses available by the end of September. Cal/OSHA and OSHA rules require needles with built-in sharps injury protection.



Obesity and Health Concerns Grow

The American Medical Association launched a new Healthier Life Steps campaign, a new study of dietary patterns implicates the Western diet in worldwide heart attack risk, and psychologists are urged to aid in prevention.

2008 Injury Research Symposium Begins

This event at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, Pa., looks at prevention of major injury categories, such as construction falls and health workers' needlesticks, and Hispanic worker injuries.

California Ends Statewide Enforcement Sweep of Construction Firms

Officials with California's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner's Office) issued 115 citations totaling $477,966 in fines to construction firms across the state for various labor law violations in a recent two-day enforcement activity that concluded on October 16.

FDA Creates One-Stop Drug Safety Page

Consumers and health care professionals can now go to a single page on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Web site to find a wide variety of safety information about prescription drugs.

Codeine Warning Advisory for Canada's Nursing Mothers

Health Canada issued a public advisory and said it is working with manufacturers to revise labels on codeine-containing products so "ultra-rapid metabolizers" of codeine are warned of the risk.

Air Quality Standards for Lead Tightened for First Time in 30 Years

The Environmental Protection Agency revised the standard to help decrease health problems associated with high amounts of lead, particularly its effects on nervous system development.

MSHA Program Aims to Curb Fatalities

MSHA's Safety Targets Training Program will focus on addressing and eliminating the most common causes of repeat fatal accidents that occurred from 2000 to 2008

AIHA to Host Nonionizing Radiation Webinar

The American Industrial Hygiene Association will host "Cell Phones, Microwaves, Pacemakers and More . . .Nonionizing Radiation Myths and Realities," an introductory TeleWeb Virtual Seminar on Oct. 22, 2008, from 2-4:30 p.m. ET.

OSHA Renews Health and Safety Partnership with Trade Associations

The strategic partnership has developed outreach training courses and decreased fatality rates in several industries

EPA Halts Sale of Unsubstantiated 'Anti-MRSA' Cleaning Products

"The sale of these products not only puts the public at risk through unjustified reliance upon their usefulness as pesticides, but also unfairly undercuts legitimate businesses that have registered their products," said Katherine Taylor, associate director of EPA's Communities and Ecosystems Division for the Pacific Southwest region.

Pennsylvania Enacts Ban on Health Workers' Mandatory OT

Gov. Ed Rendell also signed bills that create a State Board of Crane Operators to oversee licensing and discipline of crane operators and raise the monthly benefit from $125 to $175 for silicosis or black lung sufferers.

hospital emergency room sign

U.S. Hospitals Still Not Ready for Dirty Bombs

A new CDC-funded study in the October issue of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness says medical professionals, emergency departments, and hospitals aren't trained sufficiently to respond to a radiological attack.

Product Showcase

  • Matrix's OmniPro Vision AI Collision Avoidance System

    OmniPro Vision AI is a state-of-the-art collision avoidance system that features NIOSH award-winning Visual Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This highly accurate, powerful system identifies and alerts on pedestrians, vehicles and specified objects, ensuring safer facilities, mining operations and industrial sites. With its web-based cloud application, OmniPro Vision AI also logs and analyzes a wide range of data related to zone breach notifications. Operating without needing personal wearable devices or tags, OmniPro has visual and audible zone breach alerts for both operators and pedestrians. Read More

  • AirChek Connect Sampling Pump

    Stay connected to your sampling with the SKC AirChek® Connect Sampling Pump! With its Bluetooth connection to PC and mobile devices, you can monitor AirChek Connect pump operation without disrupting workflow. SKC designed AirChek Connect specifically for all OEHS professionals to ensure accurate, reliable flows from 5 to 5000 ml/min and extreme ease of use. AirChek Connect offers easy touch screen operation and flexibility. It is quality built to serve you and the workers you protect. Ask about special pricing and a demo at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

  • NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter

    SKC NoiseCHEK is the easiest-to-use dosimeter available! Designed specifically for OEHS professionals, SKC NoiseCHEK offers the easiest operation and accurate noise measurements. Everything you need is right in your palm. Pair Bluetooth models to your mobile devices and monitor workers remotely with the SmartWave dB app without interrupting workflow. Careful design features like a locking windscreen, sturdy clip, large front-lit display, bright status LEDs, and more make NoiseCHEK the top choice in noise dosimeters. Demo NoiseCHEK at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

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