Worker Health and Wellness

Greenbelt, MD – To help address growing concerns about the prevalence of suicide among firefighters and emergency medical service technicians, the National Volunteer Fire Council is scheduled to host a free webinar Feb. 25.

Boston – Eating a Mediterranean-style diet may help improve the heart health of young workers, according to a new study from Harvard University and Cambridge Health Alliance.

Guildford, England – Shift work may throw off the daily rhythm of the body’s genes, according to a new study from the University of Surrey.

Washington – Long-haul truck drivers are twice as likely to be obese – and more likely to have other risk factors for chronic disease – as the entire U.S. adult working population, according to recent NIOSH study.

Olympia, WA – Truck driving and protective services are the occupations with the highest percentage of obese workers in Washington state, according to a new study from the state’s Department of Labor and Industries.

Washington – OSHA on Jan. 15 launched a web resource to help prevent injuries among hospital workers.

Washington – Results of a NIOSH study of workers at a former IBM plant could not establish a definitive link between chemical exposures and cancer risk.

Arlington, VA – Workplace wellness programs assisting with management of chronic disease may help lower health care costs, but program components encouraging the adoption of healthier lifestyles may not lead to cost savings, according to a study from RAND Corp., a nonprofit research institute.

Santa Monica, CA – Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression may be common among private military contractors, suggests a new study from RAND Corp., a nonprofit research institution.

Perth, Australia – Promoting activity in the workplace can help reduce sitting time, but not by much among workers with fixed schedules, according to a new study from Curtin University.