Worker Health and Wellness

Elk Grove Village, IL – To help the aging workforce remain productive, employers need to establish a “culture of health” in the workplace, according to a new article from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and NIOSH.

Dallas – People who take statins to lower their cholesterol levels may be more likely to suffer musculoskeletal conditions, joint diseases and injuries, according to a study from the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System.

Columbus, OH – Each employee who smokes tobacco costs employers approximately $6,000 more per year in health care and productivity costs than non-smoking employees, according to a new study from Ohio State University.

Washington – A bill in Oregon that would require paid sick leave for workers would save employers in the state almost $11 million a year and lower public health costs, according to a new report from the Institute for Women’s Policy and Research.

Distractions frequently lead to on-the-job injuries, but experts say steps can be taken to recognize and minimize them.

Washington – Chemicals used in poultry processing plants may pose a risk to inspectors and plant workers, according to affidavits from two U.S. Department of Agriculture employees.

New York – The risk of developing lung cancer increases when workers smoke, are exposed to asbestos and have asbestosis, according to a new study from the American Thoracic Society.

Rome – Physically demanding work may increase the risk of heart disease, two European studies suggest.

Rosemont, IL – Medical treatment that restores physical function, such as knee and hip surgery, may help ease the monetary burdens of musculoskeletal disorders on American society, according to a study the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.