Total Worker Health


CDC Estimates 1.7 Million Traumatic Brain Injuries in U.S. Each Year

“This report not only presents TBI numbers, it helps to show the impact of this injury nationwide," said CDC's Richard C. Hunt, M.D. "These data can help to impact the lives of millions of Americans as they serve as building blocks that guide TBI prevention strategies."

Backers Say Reform Boosts Medical Home Concept

Today's ACOEM webinar on the concept comes as occupational physicians are increasingly being asked to help HR departments improve workers' health.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., chairs the Workforce Protections Subcommittee.

Bill Outlines DOL Work-Life Balance Award

Two top Democrats on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee introduced H.R. 4855, the Work-Life Balance Award Act of 2010, on March 16. Any public or private employer except a federal agency could apply.

NAM: Just Say No to Health Care Reform Bill

The legislation pending before the House not only will raise costs but “ultimately will destroy jobs,” writes NAM Executive VP Jay Timmons in a letter sent today to House members.

Pharmaceutical Firm to Pay $42.5M for False Claims about Pain-Relief Drug

"Illegal marketing of pharmaceutical drugs jeopardizes the public's confidence in our health care system," said Tony West, assistant attorney general for DOJ's Civil Division.

CDC Identifies Regions with Highest Heart Disease Rates

New maps chart wide disparities based on race/ethnicity and geographic location.

Study: Mental Illness Costs Canada $17.7 Billion Annually

“Often the support and services available to employees when they return to work does not address the chronic nature of mental illness,” said Dr. Carolyn Dewa, head of CAMH’s Work and Well-being Research and Evaluation Program.

Ten Thousand 9/11 Responders' Lawsuits Settled

Awaiting approval by a judge and the workers, the agreement by the WTC Captive Insurance Company will pay as much as $657.5 million to settle the lawsuits claiming dust created by the collapse of the World Trade Centers caused lung damage.



Fingersticks as part of health screenings are increasingly common

Study Examines Employer Benefits, Drawbacks of Blood-Drawing Methods

"One may think that fingersticks are selected more frequently because they cost less; however, that isn't necessarily true," says white paper author Richard Penington. "Likewise, some believe that the venous blood draw gives results that are more accurate because the blood is sent to a lab for testing. That's also not necessarily true."

FDA Survey Finds More Americans Read Food Labels

A majority of consumers read food labels and are increasingly aware of the link between good nutrition and reducing the risk of disease, according to the latest survey of dietary habits released today by the Food and Drug Administration.

Safety Issues Lead Among IAFC's On Scene Readers

The Fairfax, Va.-based International Association of Fire Chiefs is conducting an online survey to find out what readers of the newsletter want it to cover.

Coffee drinkers have heart

Coffee Drinkers Have Less Risk of Heart Rhythm Problems: AHA

Drinking four or more cups of coffee daily is associated with reduced hospitalization for rhythm disturbances by 18 percent, the American Heart Association has reported.

Raise Your Productivity

Technologies have radically changed our lives, but our environments haven't kept up the same pace to ensure a healthy and productive workplace.

Filtering Facepiece Respirator

Filtering Facepiece Respirator Use in Construction

Results from a study of construction workers' chest x-rays at Department of Energy (DOE) facilities from 1996 to 2006 indicated that, depending on trade, abnormal results were found in 11 to 25 percent of the workers studied. The prevalence of abnormal chest x-ray increased with age and years worked.

We know that 10 percent of construction workers do not return to work after injury, and workers with a lung disease, MSD, or injury are more likely to retire on disability than workers with the same conditions in less physically demanding work.

The Aging Worker in the U.S. Construction Industry

Reducing the physical demands on all workers in construction is essential.

March is Save Your Vision Month

AOA Offers Insight in Honor of 'Save Your Vision Month'

"While most people think of construction or manufacturing as high-risk occupations where eye injuries are prevalent, even jobs requiring 'smart phones,' laptops, and desktop computers can cause vision problems if not used properly," notes AOA's Dr. James Sheedy.

APIC Recognizes 12 as 'Heroes of Infection Prevention'

"From eliminating central-line bloodstream infections in the neonatal intensive care unit, to organizing statewide HAI prevention initiatives, to improving employee influenza vaccination rates -- this year's Heroes demonstrate what improvements in patient safety can be accomplished when focused commitment and unrelenting determination coexist," said APIC President Cathryn Murphy.

Global Anti-Infectives Market to Reach $103 Billion by 2015: Report

According to the study, factors driving sales include the introduction of novel therapeutics for drug-resistant bacteria, increasing incidence of severe fungal infections, the potential launch of new antiviral agents, and the introduction of new drugs in the HIV market.

Study Finds Hospitalization Linked to Cognitive Decline for Older Adults

Older patients hospitalized for acute care or a critical illness are more likely to experience cognitive decline compared to older adults who are not hospitalized, according to a study in the February 24 issue of JAMA.

AANMA Clarifies FDA Asthma Medication Warnings

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) recently offered guidance to help patients understand recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings about Advair® (fluticasone and salmeterol), Foradil ® (formoterol), Serevent® (salmeterol) and Symbicort® (budesonide and formoterol), daily inhaled medications containing a long-acting beta agonist (LABA, a 12-hour bronchodilator).

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