Workplace Health - Articles - Page 84

Health care costs are stressing us out

Study finds widespread medical financial hardship in U.S. population

May 7, 2019

The high cost of health care is placing a heavy burden on more than 137 million Americans in the form of stress or delayed care, according to a new study by American Cancer Society (ACS). Additionally, researchers found that medical financial hardship is on the upswing in the U.S. High out-of-pocket spending for medical needs can drain assets and affect household finances. Patients may delay or forgo needed medical care because of cost, jeopardizing benefits of treatment.

DOL to appeal employer health plan ruling

May 6, 2019

Employers who are currently offering health coverage to their workers through Association Health Plans (AHP) can continue to do so through the remainder of the plan year, despite a recent court ruling that found portions of the Department of Labor’s AHPs rule unlawful.

Weekly news round-up

May 4, 2019

A deadly crane collapse, what we think about mental health problems and alarming U.S. air quality data were among the top stories featured on ISHN.com this week.

Get ready for grilling season with these food safety tips

May 3, 2019

The warmer temperatures that are not too far ahead – depending upon where you live – will invariably motivate many people to drag the grill out of the garage and fire it up for some outdoor cooking. Here are some tips for enjoying safely barbecued or grilled food from the According to Stop Foodborne Illness, a national, nonprofit, public health organization dedicated to preventing illness and death from foodborne pathogens.

Mental health problems losing (some) of their stigma in U.S.

May 2, 2019

Having a mental health problem is nothing to be ashamed of, according to 87 percent of the American adults who participated in a recent survey conducted on behalf of the American Psychological Association (APA). That and other findings are being hailed by mental health professionals are “encouraging,” although the Harris poll did uncover some entrenched stigma as well as some surprising demographic differences in attitudes.

With OSHA a non-starter in workplace violence prevention, ASSP turns to Congress

May 1, 2019

Frustrated with OSHA’s foot-dragging on developing a regulation aimed at protecting healthcare and social assistance employees from workplace violence, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) is taking its case to lawmakers. ASSP President Rixio Medina, CSP, CPP, has expressed his organization’s support for HR 1309 and S. 851, legislation to help protect workers in the healthcare and social service sectors from the threat of workplace violence.

Air pollution in U.S. getting worse

More days than ever reached hazardous levels for breathing

May 1, 2019

Some 141.1 million Americans – more than four in ten of us - live in counties with unhealthful levels of either ozone or particle pollution, according to a new "State of the Air" report from the American Lung Association. That’s an increase of more than 7.2 million Americans since the 2018 summary. Eight cities recorded their highest number of days with unhealthy spikes in particle pollution since the nation began monitoring this pollutant 20 years ago.

In France: Suicidal thoughts linked to working conditions

April 30, 2019

In a recent study in France, one third of the respondents who said they’d considered suicide within the past year cited working and employment conditions as the reason. Fear of losing one’s job was the top stressor, followed by verbal threats, humiliation and intimidation at work. Some 3.8 percent of workers between the ages of 18 and 75 said they’d had suicidal thoughts within the 12 months preceding the study.

U.S. food system must change for our health’s sake, says AHA

April 30, 2019

Placing healthier options in more prominent positions on grocery store shelves and packaging food in smaller serving sizes are among the improvements in the U.S. food system that would make it easier for consumers to choose healthy foods – and to get heathier. That’s according to a science advisory from the American Heart Association (AHA), which says that change that needs to occur at multiple levels- the food industry, agricultural industry, public health and medicine, policy, and among communities, worksites, schools, and families.

Ergodyne launches Dry Evaporative Cooling Vest for days of cooling

April 30, 2019

When it comes to keeping workers cool on the job, Ergodyne leads the way. Their new Dry Evaporative Cooling Vest offers up to three days of cooling, while keeping the wearer completely dry. Most evaporative cooling vests need to be soaked with water in order to work, which in turn soaks the wearer.