Worker Health and Wellness

New York – People who performed prolonged work at the site of the 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack may have an increased risk for developing autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, according to a study from Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Washington – Employer-sponsored wellness programs can lead to healthier employees and reduced costs, but recent Equal Employment Opportunity Commission decisions have discouraged implementation of the programs, according to witnesses at a March 24 hearing convened by the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee.

Washington – Republican leaders on March 2 introduced legislation that they hope will clarify employers’ rights to offer incentives to workers participating in wellness programs.

Research has linked shift work to various health issues. Scientists have been exploring the dietary intake of these workers to find out why shift work is harmful.

Manchester, England – Less-irritating hygiene products and better methods to prevent and treat dermatitis are needed to help protect health care workers’ hands, concludes a recent study from the University of Manchester.

Two congressional Democrats have reintroduced legislation that would require employers to offer paid sick days to workers.

Workers who use treadmill desks experience a slight increase in physical activity but reap few health benefits, a study from Oregon State University suggests.

Disease management programs can help lower employer costs and reduce hospital stays for workers who have certain health conditions, including asthma, musculoskeletal disorders and congestive heart failure, a recent study from the University of Minnesota indicates.

Greater emphasis is needed on reducing cancer-causing conditions in the workplace, and information on occupational carcinogens in Europe is “outdated and incomplete,” according to a new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, also known as EU-OSHA.

The CDC Foundation has released an extensive online resource to help employers and workers improve health and safety.