Worker Health and Wellness

Toronto — Sitting or standing for prolonged periods may adversely affect workers’ health, according to separate studies from the Institute for Work and Health. So, what should workers do?

Shift work is a way of life for nearly 15 million Americans, spurring numerous studies that link the practice to health problems and chronic conditions. “It’s really important to recognize these risks, and we need to understand them and we need to treat them,” a leading researcher says.

London — Although a larger percentage of workers in the United Kingdom say their managers are genuinely concerned for their well-being, “the prevalence and impact of mental health issues are severe, and employers need to urgently ramp up the breadth and quality of support they’re providing,” concludes a recent report from nonprofit group Business in the Community.

Washington — Drivers who don’t get the recommended minimum of seven hours of sleep a night are at higher risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash – and that risk increases among drivers who get the least amount of sleep, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Atlanta — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is seeking public comment on a draft updating two sections of existing guidance intended to assist health care administrators with “providing occupational infection prevention and control services to health care personnel,” according to a notice published in the Oct. 15 Federal Register.

Winnipeg, Manitoba — Hospital privacy curtains may be breeding grounds for antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, a recent study led by researchers at the University of Manitoba shows.

Washington — The Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs has unveiled a four-point Opioid Action Plan intended to help combat opioid misuse among injured federal employees.

Waterloo, Ontario — Nearly 3 out of 5 truck drivers experience musculoskeletal pain or discomfort while on the job, and most factors are “largely modifiable,” according to researchers at the University of Waterloo.

Atlanta — Construction workers have the highest proportional mortality ratio for heroin- and methadone-related overdose deaths, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis of 26 occupations shows.

Washington — The Office of National Drug Control Policy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has published a guide intended to help rural communities address opioid misuse and other substance abuse by providing a centralized list of federal programs and resources.