Worker Health and Wellness

Paris – Insomnia “appears to be a strong clinical marker of burnout” when paired with demanding work schedules and should be taken into account in workplace mental health programs, according to a study of financial industry workers published Jan. 13 in the journal BMJ Open.

Salt Lake City – Commercial truck drivers who have at least three health issues have as much as quadruple the crash risk of healthier drivers, according to a study from the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Villejuif, France – Occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene may increase the risk of head and neck cancer in women, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in the journal BMJ Open.

Washington – Policies for paid sick days and family and medical leave do not result in increased unemployment, according to a report from the Center for American Progress, a policy research and advocacy organization.

Washington – With career burnout, depression and suicide among health care workers alarmingly high, the National Academy of Medicine has created an “action collaborative” of more than 20 medical organizations to address these issues.

Atlanta – As many as 2.7 million U.S. workers may have asthma caused or aggravated by workplace conditions, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Atlanta – A radiology practice in eastern Kentucky diagnosed 60 current or former coal miners with progressive massive fibrosis – the most severe case of black lung disease – between January 2015 and August 2016, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Supporters of sick leave policies say they help prevent the spread of disease and on-the-job injuries. Critics claim they are burdensome and costly to employers.

Bethesda, MD – Are you a casual smoker? Do you smoke less than one cigarette a day? You still could face significant health problems, according to a study from the National Cancer Institute.

Washington – Do you sleep only five or six hours a night? If so, your risk of being involved in a vehicle crash is doubled – and that risk increases sharply the less you sleep – according to research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.