Worker Health and Wellness

Washington – A lack of mandatory standards on Ebola for health care workers leaves nurses unprepared and vulnerable to infection, a registered nurse and union official testified during an Oct. 24 House hearing.

Atlanta – With flu season on the horizon, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation is sharing information to help workers protect themselves from the disease.

London – People who work long hours at manual and other “low socioeconomic status jobs” may have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a study from University College London.

Atlanta – Influenza vaccination rates among health care workers increased slightly during the 2013-14 season, according to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Morgantown, WV – The prevalence of a severe form of black lung disease has increased recently to levels not seen in about 40 years, new NIOSH data shows.

Helsinki, Finland – Sleeping between seven and eight hours a night can decrease the possibility of missing work because of illness, a recent study from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health indicates.

Washington – Workplace programs on alcohol and drug abuse might not reach many of the people who need the services most, according to a pair of reports from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Seoul, South Korea – Working more than 40 hours per week increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, indicates a new study from Seoul National University.

Chicago – Working near a window could improve an employee’s sleep and overall quality of life, suggests a study from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Washington – NIOSH has issued a draft document on improving workplace health and safety through tobacco policies, and the agency is requesting stakeholder feedback.