Worksite Wellness/Health Economics
Checklist for Business to Prepare for a Pandemic
We have all been hearing about Asian bird flu and the potential for a world wide pandemic. As with any large natural disaster, it’s best to be prepared. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) joined by Homeland Security issued plans for protecting your employees and business in case such a disaster occurs.
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Large Employers Increasing Health, Productivity Initiatives
Employee wellness programs are quickly becoming the norm, not the exception in large corporations in America. In a world of high healthcare costs it makes good business sense for companies to promote healthier lifestyles.
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Research Highlights
Soy Foods Reduce Bone Fracture Rates
Soy foods contain a plant-derived estrogen called phystoestrogen that seems to be protective against bone loss without the health hazard or taking estrogen. There has been some controversy about whether phytoestrogens had a protective effect on bone health. New research suggests that phytoestrogens in soy are in fact protective to the bones, reducing bone loss and decreasing fracture rates.
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Weight Loss by Medication or Lifestyle
The majority of Americans are overweight and about 1/3 are obese, putting them at high risk for many diseases. Losing even 5-10% of body weight can significantly reduce risks for future health problems. Finding effective therapies for weight loss is a high priority.
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Benefit of Regular Meals
The concept of eating regular meals has gone by the wayside for many people in recent years, but new research shows benefits from eating meals at regular times each day. Test subjects were given regular meals for 2 weeks and then irregular meals for 2 weeks. Here are some of the advantages they found when people ate regular meals versus having irregular meal times:
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Heart Rate Response to Exercise and Mortality
It is well established that one of the best predictors of good health and a long life is peak aerobic capacity (a measure of maximum physical performance). Now 3 other fitness measures have been found that are also strong predictors of survival: resting heart rate, maximal increase in heart rate with exercise, and heart rate recovery.
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Smoking Facts
Dr. Richard Carmona, the U.S. Surgeon General, summarized the following facts about smoking and health in a recent news release:
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America's Youth Weight Problem
The increase in childhood obesity in the U.S. has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and today almost ˝ of our country's children and adolescents are at a weight that increases them for health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglycerides, high blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, sleeping disorders, and more. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends a strategy to help manage this problem.
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Quick Facts
Prevention Potential
Dr. Walter Willett, chairman of Harvard School of Public Health's department of nutrition, made a presentation at a recent medical convention entitled, "Diet and Optimal Health: A Progress Report." Based on research such as the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, Dr. Willett reported that better lifestyles can prevent up to 80% of coronary heart disease, and 90% of type 2 diabetes. It's time for our nation to put more emphasis on prevention and less on treatment after the disease occurs.
Reference: Walter Willett MD, DrPH. Presentation. American Society of Nephrology annual meeting: Philadelphia. Nov. 2005.
Chronic Disease in China
Health problems in developing nations have traditionally centered on infectious disease. A report in the Lancet, a British medical journal, states that chronic disease now accounts for an estimated 80% of all deaths in China. As in the U.S., cardiovascular disease and cancer are the 2 leading causes of death. Health habits need improving. 160 million Chinese men smoke. 160 million have high blood pressure. An obesity epidemic is imminent with more than 20% of children aged 7-17 years in the big cities already overweight or obese. As the world changes, so do the health problems. Promoting healthy lifestyle is critical world wide in preventing disease.
Reference: Wang L et al. Preventing chronic disease in China. Lancet. 2005; 366:1821-24. Nov. 19, 2005.
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Health Links
This 44-page booklet (PDF) for adults contains practical, easy-to-use information for losing and maintaining weight - including tips on healthy eating, physical activity, and behavior change. NIH prepared this excellent weight loss guide.
Knowing your family health history is helpful information in assessing your risk and initiating preventive actions for specific diseases. Use this HHS Family Health History program to create a health history for yourself and print out copies for your doctor to review.
This book is based on the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines and the DASH diet. It is an excellent guide on healthy eating and physical activity for life. The book has 325 pages and is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office for $12.95.
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Healthy Recipes
The Almond Board of California provides this tasty vegetarian dish. It's pretty amazing! It's rich in healthy fats and proteins and tastes great. Try it!
Get healthy menu plans from Portfolio Eating Plan. The regimen is vegetarian and moderate in fat, with about 2,000 calories. It meets or exceeds the daily goals for almonds, viscous/soluble fiber, soy protein and plant sterols. This eating plan was as effective in lowering cholesterol as a standard starting dose of Statin drugs but without the side effects. Also learn more about the health benefits of almonds on the Almond Board of California website.
Learn how to make your own healthy snack, from the Illinois Center for Soy Foods.
The Illinois Center for Soy Foods has several cookbooks available for purchase that can help you easily incorporate soy into your everyday cooking.
Resources
PowerPoint® Slides
Soy and Bone Fractures - Graphs comparing soy consumption and bone fracture rate in a large study of postmenopausal women (3 slides) Weight Loss - Graphs showing the results from a weight loss medication vs. lifestyle modification trial (3 slides) Heart Rate and Mortality - Graphs showing link between various heart rate factors and sudden death (4 slides) Regular Meals - The benefits of eating regular meals (1 slide)
Handouts
Health Benefits of Fruits - Fruits are nature's desserts and they are good for you. Download this handout on the health benefits of eating fresh fruits - 2 cups (or 4 servings) daily. Also, use this handout to help people become more aware of the health benefits of fruits, and learn new ways of incorporating fruits in fun and tasty ways. Parenting Your Overweight Child - More than 60% of Americans are overweight. It is no surprise that many of America's children are overweight, too. Download these 10 tips designed to help parents help their children achieve and maintain lifestyles that will contribute to a healthier weight. -
Goals for Health in 2006 - New Year's resolutions can be easily broken. This handout encourages simple goals that you can focus on all year long.
What's New at Wellsource
Orlando Wellness Marketing Seminar
 The Successful Health Management Systems™ Seminar, presented by Wellsource, Inc. will teach health professionals and others how to develop and market wellness programs or improve an existing program. The next seminar will be held February 20-21, 2006 at the Sheraton Safari Hotel in Orlando, Florida.
The seminar provides professionals in the healthcare and wellness industry with the opportunity to network with peers and share successes and challenges. The learning experience is facilitated with interactive workshops that encourage participation.
For information on this and other Successful Health Management Systems™ Seminars, visit our seminar web page, call a Director of Business Development at 1-800-533-9355, or email well@wellsource.com.
Program Schedule and Registration Form
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