It is common sense but the pressure in these difficult economic times may increase the problem of presenteeism, the opposite of absenteeism. So more and more people are coming to work with cold and flu symptoms.
Recent reports say more than seventy percent of workers go to work when they are sick. More than have feel guilty if they call in sick. This leads to the belief that the workplace is where they picked up their cold or flu. The survey recorded that 53% of employees believe they got sick from a co-worker who came to the office sick. Another 12% responded that “they picked up a bug from someone who was sick on public transportation going to or from work.”
This could be a simple way for human resources to reduce cost by getting sick employees to stay home when they are not feeling well and therefore reducing the overall expense associated with the cold and flu season. If an employee feels guilty or if a manager is concerned about absentee abuse, it tells me that trust and integrity are bigger issues than cold and flu.
In todays technological world, could more employees work remotely? Maybe some work or required information review could be completed during this time. Employee and Manager should be able to talk it out directly to do what is best for the company as a whole. Managers do not want lower productivity in the office and being sick definitely reduces productivity.
The survey also found that only nineteen percent of employers offered flu shots at the office, while 38% of employees were personally proactive and received a flu shot in 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
In a recent report I read that was published on January 27, 2011, showed that a large number of employers across the United States know very little about the effects and provisions the new law will have on their company. In fact, it appears that those who do understand or are more familiar are “unlikely to offer health benefits in 2014 to their employees”.
The study was conducted by the Market Strategies International. It was a comprehensive multi-phased research program that shed light on what employee benefit decision-makers know and understand about the new law. It was conducted by Web survey between October 27 and November 8, 2010 using a national sample of 1,065 adults.
This information matches my own personal first hand experience talking to benefit professional everyday. As we gain a better understanding of the law, as passed, it gets clear how it will effect all companies and all employees. However, change is coming to benefits administration with or without the law. The lesson, as always, is to:
Innovate
Educate, and
Build.
Oh wait. That is what the President said in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. He got that wrong too. You do not Innovate, then Educate and then build. That is like fire, aim, load. Sorry about the violate reference there. No intention to incite anything other than thought. But if words matter, then the President’s words matter as well.
Employers need to EDUCATE themselves on the impact of the new law. Then, use that knowledge to INNOVATE (or adapt) their strategic plan(s) to BUILD a better plan for the future. There are real solutions that are not commonly known but do exist today. I know this because that is what we do everyday.
The new Congress, passed a repeal bill, with a plan to pass replacement bills going forward. Let me hear what you think should be replaced and let the discussion start now, But first, let us agree to stay focused on the policy, not the politics. I will start it off by beginning to educate. Read the rest of this entry »
If you search for information you will find a lot of new data about lowering your risk for cancer. Given the fact that so many Americans consider this a large threat to their health and sense of personal security, it seems like a good topic to post for others to comment and share on.
Here is just a bit of what I found.
Not surprising, the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine, reported that “consistent exercise is associated with a lower risk of dying from colon cancer”. Their study sheds some light on how physical activity can make the disease less deadly. Working with data from the American Cancer Society Prevention Study II (CPS II) to identify whether changes in physical activity influenced either the incidence of colon cancer diagnosis or the risk of death from the disease.
The CPS II study included more than 150,000 men and women and compared their levels of physical activity between 1982 and 1997, and linked those activity levels both to the number of colon cancer diagnoses between 1998 and 2005, and to the number of colon cancer deaths that occurred between 1998 and 2006. It turned out that those who exercised consistently for at least 10 years had the lowest risk of colon cancer death.
As you would expect they say, “It’s never too late to start exercising, but it’s also never too early to start being active”. However, the data suggests, “the greatest benefits seem to accrue in those who have exercised for the largest percentage of their lives.” They also suggest that it is not necessary to “run marathons or to work out for many hours every day.” A 30-minute walk every day, and you’re going to reduce your risk as well as making you feel better physically and mentally.
New Test Announced for Earlier Detection
Another recent report told us about a blood test so sensitive that it can spot a single cancer cell lurking among our healthy cells. This test is moving one step closer to being available at your doctor’s office. It comes from a group of Boston scientists who invented the test and the health care giant Johnson & Johnson. The good news is they announced recently that they have joined forces to bring the test to market. Many of our “big cancer centers” will soon start studies using the experimental test this year. That sounds like a good discussion to have with your doctor during your next examination. Add that to your to do list for the year.
In an over-simplification, the report tells us is that “stray cancer cells” in the blood, mean that a tumor has spread or is likely to. A test that can capture such cells has the potential to transform care for many types of cancer, especially breast, prostate, colon and lung. Early detection gives you better chance to fight the disease. They are calling it a “liquid biopsy that avoids painful tissue sampling and may give a better way to monitor patients than periodic imaging scans.” reported the Massachusetts General Hospital’s cancer center. They expect the test to work with other cancer screening methods like the mammograms and colonoscopies.
Another interesting data point in this report was that “scientists were surprised to find that more cancer patients harbor these stray cells than has been believed. In one study, the test was used on men thought to have cancer confined to the prostate, “but we found these cells in two-thirds of patients.” They went on to suggest “this might mean that cancer cells enter the blood soon after a tumor starts, or that more cancers have already spread but are unseen by doctors.”
This report gives me more confidence in this presentation by Dr. William Li. He appears to suggests the best cancer treatment is prevention. He believes that we produce tiny tumors all the time in our body. So small that they cannot be detected except by our natural immune system. Could this be linked to the new blood test?
We all have heard of “free radicals” and antioxidants, but have you heard about antigenes and the process of Angiogenesis? Just like antioxidants are found in certain foods. Dr. Li suggests that the process of “Angiogenesis” kills off the small tumors before the get large enough to be seen or tested for. Check out this amazing presentation by Dr. Li at TED: As for me, controlling healthcare cost for my clients is my primary focus, other than living a long and healthy personal life. What about you?
See your doctor on a regular basis, even when you’re feeling fine. Bring along all your medications and a list of questions.
2. Follow your doctors treatment advice
Be sure to take your medications as prescribed, and refill your prescriptions before you run out.
3. Quit Smoking
If you smoke, quitting is the best way to stop more lung damage. Ask your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit. Options include counseling, nicotine replacement products and non-nicotine medications. Seek out support from friends and family. Try the new E-cigarette. They say it replaces the nicotine and eliminates the smoke, tar and other pollutants that adversely harm your lungs.
4. Avoid Pollutants
Steer clear of dust, air pollution, strong fumes and secondhand smoke, which can further hurt your lungs.
5. Guard against getting the flu
Discuss with your doctor the pros and cons about getting a yearly flu shot vaccine. Maintain your health and immunity with balanced diet (whole foodsupplements) and exercise programs (walk, ride your bike, if it winter, buy a treadmill). In addition, wash your hands often to lower your exposure to germs, and your best to avoid crowds during peak flu season.
Check out your company’s health plan’s website, come back here more often and share your experience or go to the American Lung Association for more information and tips on Living with COPD.
YWNH is your common sense source for information and strategies about healthcare reimbursement arrangements (105 plans), individual insurance and wellness tips. In today's ever changing marketplace, information leads to empowerment. Feel free to add your comments to any blog post.
Intended for Informational purposes only.We consult, and don't sell insurance.We match clients with available options. Our wellness information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment.
