Total Worker Health


NIH Outlines Plans for $500 Million to Address Opioid Epidemic

Earlier this year, Congress passed a two-year budget that included $6 billion to address the opioid epidemic and mental health, $500 million of which went to NIH to address the crisis that is causing an estimated 115 U.S. deaths daily.

Research Shows Gaps in Aquaculture Industry Safety, Health

"Aquaculture occupational health and safety is frequently marginalized or lost by government, industry, and sometimes labor organizations," Watterson said.

Obviously, having a healthier workforce translates into reduced healthcare costs, less absenteeism and increased productivity. There are indirect benefits, as well.

Keeping Safe Practices Front and Center

Your employee safety incentive program should feature job-specific goals and objectives that are clearly defined and measurable.

FDA: U.S. Experiencing EpiPen Shortage

The FDA said the spot shortages don't mean patients cannot obtain EpiPens or generics, but they may have to look harder or use a different brand.

Record Number of Unused Pills Collected in Drug Take Back Day

The DEA was able to collect and destroy nearly one million pounds—almost 475 tons—of potentially dangerous prescription medications. Since the fall of 2010, the DEA has collected a total of 9,964,714 pounds of prescription drugs, or 4,982 tons.

2018 SHRM Conference Includes Sessions on Rx Overuse, Workplace Depression

The June 17-20 conference will include more than 230 concurrent sessions on topics such as prescription drug overuse, workplace depression, bullying and harassment, workplace violence, health care reform, financial wellness for young workers, and more.

CDC Reports U.S. Illnesses from Mosquito, Tick, and Flea Bites Increasing

In 2016, the most common mosquito-borne viruses were West Nile, dengue, and Zika, while the most common tickborne diseases were Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. The most common disease resulting from the bite of an infected flea was plague, though it was rare.

California to Help Farmers Buy Cleaner Heavy Equipment

"Although tough new engine standards are in effect now and will eventually lower emissions, most agricultural equipment lasts for decades. We cannot wait for the older dirtier equipment to phase out naturally, so we are taking action to improve air quality sooner by helping farmers to buy cleaner farm equipment now," CARB Executive Officer Richard Corey said.



Ontario Increases Cancer Coverage for Firefighters

Ontario Increases Cancer Coverage for Firefighters

The process for claiming Worker’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits once a firefighter is diagnosed with cervical, ovarian, or penile cancers will be expedited, and the individual will not be required to prove that their cancer is work-related.

NIOSH Publishes Updated NORA Public Safety Agenda

Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic diseases are the first recommendation because stress is such a big factor affecting public safety workers' health, it says. Sudden cardiac events are responsible for 7 to 22 percent of on-duty deaths among police officers, 17 percent among wildland firefighters, and 11 percent among EMS workers, it says.

Study Shows Measures Needed to Protect Workers Opening Fumigated Containers

More than 600 million freight containers are shipped worldwide each year. To prevent damaging the goods, these containers are often treated with pesticides and other agents that have known toxic or irritant properties and can have long-term effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

CDC: U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Continue to Rise

The report confirms that recent increases in drug overdose deaths are fueled by continued, sharp increases in deaths that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone, such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

There are significant benefits of having healthier employees, both in savings in medical costs and related insurance premium reductions, and in productivity though better well-being and fewer sick days and time off.

IRF Trends Study Shows Focus on Culture, Wellness

This year's Trends Study said the largest number of net increases reported by respondents was for including wellness components in their programs.

Maryland’s First Stabilization Center to Open in Baltimore

Maryland’s First Stabilization Center to Open in Baltimore

According to city officials, the center will be a safe place for people under the influence of drugs and alcohol to sober up and receive short-term medical and social interventions, medical screening and monitoring, and referrals to behavioral health and social services.

NIOSH Study Shows Association Between Noise Exposure and Heart Disease Risk Factors

"Reducing workplace noise levels is critical not just for hearing loss prevention – it may also impact blood pressure and cholesterol," said NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard, M.D. "Work site health and wellness programs that include screenings for high blood pressure and cholesterol should also target noise-exposed workers."

NASA Clears Up DNA Questions from Twins Study

"The change related to only 7 percent of the gene expression that changed during spaceflight that had not returned to preflight after six months on Earth. This change of gene expression is very minimal," NASA explained in a March 15 statement.

NSC Releases Report on Worker Fatigue

Fatigue Could Be Dangerous Today, NSC Warns

According to NSC's new report, "Tired at Work: How fatigue affects our bodies," certain workers always have an increased risk for circadian misalignment, which occurs when we force ourselves to stay awake at hours when our bodies believe we should ordinarily be asleep.

SAMHSA Publishes Best Practices on Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Treatment Improvement Protocol 63, "Medications for Opioid Use Disorder," reviews the use of methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine, the three FDA-approved medications to treat opioid use disorders.

Ohio BWC Unveils Wellness Program

The program's resources and support services aim to help eligible businesses prevent injuries, reduce absenteeism, improve presenteeism, reduce injury severity, and reduce time away from work due to an injury.

FDA, FTC Warn Companies Selling Unapproved Opioid Cessation Products

The sale of these unapproved products with claims about treating opioid addiction and withdrawal violates the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and these unsubstantiated therapeutic claims violate the Federal Trade Commission Act against deceptive advertising.

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