An interesting article in the New York Times last week highlighted an inevitable phenomenon occurring in the world of public health…competition for dollars and attention. For years, smoking held the top spot as public health enemy #1, and along with this distinction came tremendous time, effort, and dollars spent in attempt to snuff it out. But in recent years, smoking has been edged out by big competition…obesity.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that obesity, along with obesity-related healthcare costs, seems to garner the overwhelming majority of health-related media attention. And as this article points out, the prevention and research dollars have followed suit. As an example, one major source of private funding for public health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, who has spent two decades helping to reduce the nation’s smoking rate by almost half, has shifted their priorities in recent years to focus on childhood obesity. In fact, according to the article, the foundation spent nearly 15 times more on anti-obesity funding than anti-tobacco funding last year.
Some experts believe the shift in attention and funding is warranted, given that smoking rates have been driven down by previous efforts, while obesity rates have been rapidly rising. But anti-smoking advocates fear that the drastic shift will erode previous success while there is still much progress to be made.
The good news is, while there will always be competition for government dollars and research funding, individuals, families, schools and employers don’t have to choose. Rather, choosing to make overall wellness a priority means covering all the bases – including nutrition, smoking cessation, fitness, stress reduction and more. According to the American Heritage Medical Dictionary, wellness is “the condition of good physical, mental and emotional health, especially when maintained by an appropriate diet, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications.”
So by definition, wellness is an all-encompassing approach to health. Comprehensive worksite wellness programming allows participants to take positive steps in the areas where they struggle the most and rewards employers with healthier, happier employees, which translates to healthcare and productivity savings. So leave the competition for the sports field - choosing wellness is a win-win and one thing we can all agree upon!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Five Tips for a Healthy and Delicious Fourth of July BBQ
1. Have guests asking where’s the beef? This Fourth of July celebrate America’s birthday by ensuring all your guests have many more of their own! Skip the red meat (burgers, sausages and steaks) and replace it with lean protein such as skinless chicken or black bean burgers. Skip the saturated fat, without skimping on taste.
Spicy Black Bean Burger
• 1 15- to 16-ounce can black beans, rinsed, drained
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup dry bread cumbs
• 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup bottled chunky salsa
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
Using fork, mash beans in medium bowl. Mix in onion, breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons salsa, cumin and hot pepper sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Using moistened hands, shape bean mixture into two 3- to 4-inch-diameter patties. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Brush barbecue rack with oil. Grill burgers until heated through, about 3 minutes per side. Grill cut sides of buns until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Transfer burgers to bottom halves of buns. Spoon 1/4 cup salsa over each. Cover with tops of buns.
Source: http://www.epicurious.com/
2. Flip the Chips.
Potato chips and tortilla chips seem to be a staple at every summertime barbeque. This year, skip the added fat and flip your chip. Choose a lighter version of your favorite chips, try popchips™ a new chip that is neither baked nor fried, but popped into existence, there are so many flavors to chose from that none of your guests will even miss the traditional potato chips.
http://www.popchips.com/
3. Raise the veggies!
Vegetables are a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Not only are they healthul and delicious, but they are the perfect side to have at every barbeque because they fill you up without as many calories as other sides such as potato and cheesy macaroni salads. If you’re invited to a barbeque this weekend and can’t show up empty-handed try this cabbage slaw, it’s got lots of healthful fiber and a gorgeous color to boot! This delightfully light, summer salad is very satisfying due to the “creamy” dressing. The peanut butter does kick in some calories so don’t sit down and eat the whole bowl, share with friends.
Red Cabbage Slaw with Peanut Dressing
• 6 cups shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion
• 1 small clove garlic
• 1/4 cup cubed fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 1/3 cup smooth natural peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 3-7 tablespoons of water
Shred cabbage with a knife, cutting it very thin. Shred carrots and slice green onions. Place all veggies in a big bowl. Peel and rinse garlic. Use a garlic press or finely chop garlic. Add to food processor. Wash and coarsely chop fresh ginger into chunks/cubes. Don’t peel it. Add to food processor. Food process until ginger is finely chopped. Add sugar, peanut butter, and vinegar to food processor. Process until mixed. Gradually add water to food processor until dressing is desired consistency (I use about 5 tablespoons of water). Food processing should whip the dressing into a creamy texture. Pour/scrape dressing onto salad. Toss. Serve immediately or put in fridge for later (it will stay crispy for at least three days). Makes about 7 cups. One cup of this red cabbage salad has 116 calories, 6 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 cholesterol, and 4 grams of protein.
Source: http://chetroy.com/healthyvegan/?p=168
4. Provide your guests with refreshment, not a gut.
Summertime drinks, while tasty, can supply a huge chunk of your daily calorie intake. Considering that a 12 ounce margarita has over 560 calories and a 12 ounce pina colada has over 650 calories and more than 6 grams of saturated fat (a Big Mac has 10g of saturated fat), these drinks are more on par with decadent dessert than a drink with dinner or lunch. At this year’s barbeque be sure to provide your guests with plenty of nonalcoholic drink choices: seltzer water, 100% fruit juices and cold herbal teas. And if alcohol must be on the menu, provide lower calorie options like light beer and wine spritzers.
5. Get Fruity- Fruit is the perfect summer dessert…
If it’s available. It’s amazing how fast fruit salad gets gobbled up at a barbeque, but sadly it is often forgotten. Making a fruit salad is simple even if you’re pressed for time. Cut up a watermelon, pineapple and wash a bunch of grapes- this will be the base of your salad. Next, go to any salad bar with a fruit section. Here you will be able to put together a colorful salad with all the fruits that can be more time consuming to chop up like cherries and kiwifruit. Having this sweet treat will is a great alternative to ice cream and other high fat desserts that often show up at Fourth of July celebrations.
Spicy Black Bean Burger
• 1 15- to 16-ounce can black beans, rinsed, drained
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup dry bread cumbs
• 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup bottled chunky salsa
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
Using fork, mash beans in medium bowl. Mix in onion, breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons salsa, cumin and hot pepper sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Using moistened hands, shape bean mixture into two 3- to 4-inch-diameter patties. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Brush barbecue rack with oil. Grill burgers until heated through, about 3 minutes per side. Grill cut sides of buns until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Transfer burgers to bottom halves of buns. Spoon 1/4 cup salsa over each. Cover with tops of buns.
Source: http://www.epicurious.com/
2. Flip the Chips.
Potato chips and tortilla chips seem to be a staple at every summertime barbeque. This year, skip the added fat and flip your chip. Choose a lighter version of your favorite chips, try popchips™ a new chip that is neither baked nor fried, but popped into existence, there are so many flavors to chose from that none of your guests will even miss the traditional potato chips.
http://www.popchips.com/
3. Raise the veggies!
Vegetables are a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Not only are they healthul and delicious, but they are the perfect side to have at every barbeque because they fill you up without as many calories as other sides such as potato and cheesy macaroni salads. If you’re invited to a barbeque this weekend and can’t show up empty-handed try this cabbage slaw, it’s got lots of healthful fiber and a gorgeous color to boot! This delightfully light, summer salad is very satisfying due to the “creamy” dressing. The peanut butter does kick in some calories so don’t sit down and eat the whole bowl, share with friends.
Red Cabbage Slaw with Peanut Dressing
• 6 cups shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion
• 1 small clove garlic
• 1/4 cup cubed fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 1/3 cup smooth natural peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 3-7 tablespoons of water
Shred cabbage with a knife, cutting it very thin. Shred carrots and slice green onions. Place all veggies in a big bowl. Peel and rinse garlic. Use a garlic press or finely chop garlic. Add to food processor. Wash and coarsely chop fresh ginger into chunks/cubes. Don’t peel it. Add to food processor. Food process until ginger is finely chopped. Add sugar, peanut butter, and vinegar to food processor. Process until mixed. Gradually add water to food processor until dressing is desired consistency (I use about 5 tablespoons of water). Food processing should whip the dressing into a creamy texture. Pour/scrape dressing onto salad. Toss. Serve immediately or put in fridge for later (it will stay crispy for at least three days). Makes about 7 cups. One cup of this red cabbage salad has 116 calories, 6 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 cholesterol, and 4 grams of protein.
Source: http://chetroy.com/healthyvegan/?p=168
4. Provide your guests with refreshment, not a gut.
Summertime drinks, while tasty, can supply a huge chunk of your daily calorie intake. Considering that a 12 ounce margarita has over 560 calories and a 12 ounce pina colada has over 650 calories and more than 6 grams of saturated fat (a Big Mac has 10g of saturated fat), these drinks are more on par with decadent dessert than a drink with dinner or lunch. At this year’s barbeque be sure to provide your guests with plenty of nonalcoholic drink choices: seltzer water, 100% fruit juices and cold herbal teas. And if alcohol must be on the menu, provide lower calorie options like light beer and wine spritzers.
5. Get Fruity- Fruit is the perfect summer dessert…
If it’s available. It’s amazing how fast fruit salad gets gobbled up at a barbeque, but sadly it is often forgotten. Making a fruit salad is simple even if you’re pressed for time. Cut up a watermelon, pineapple and wash a bunch of grapes- this will be the base of your salad. Next, go to any salad bar with a fruit section. Here you will be able to put together a colorful salad with all the fruits that can be more time consuming to chop up like cherries and kiwifruit. Having this sweet treat will is a great alternative to ice cream and other high fat desserts that often show up at Fourth of July celebrations.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Over the course of 10 years, an average of 4.95 billion dollars can be saved through well run worksite wellness programs!
Prevention! Prevention! Prevention!!
In a new report issued by Healthways Center for Health Research, researchers estimate that over the course of 10 years, an average of 4.95 billion dollars can be saved through chronic disease prevention such as those provided by worksite wellness programs.
The researchers used a method of forecasting called standard actuarial modeling, wherein they evaluated the progression of health care costs based on projected increases in demand. They concluded that preventing chronic disease progression after age 25 in only 10% of people born in 2008 would provide a savings of $180 for each individual for each year through age 64. And, they further estimated that if this strategy could be expanded to reach 25% of this population, savings would reach $470 per individual annually, representing a savings of approximately $945 billion over ten years.
It’s all over the news that healthcare spending is out of control and that prevention is a key factor in changing the landscape! The authors of this recent study report that decreasing the cost of care will ultimately come down to a substantial decrease in the demand for care, through reduction of chronic disease. Health care for people with chronic diseases currently accounts for 75% of the nation’s total health care costs, and this number is expected to increase. Logically, one of the best bets we have for decreasing our health care costs lies in preventative care, and management of chronic disease; exactly what we practice at Wellness Workdays!
There is a lot of evidence that worksite wellness strategies are paying off.
Employers who have implemented wellness programs for employees have experienced short-term medical cost savings three times more than how much they invested in the programs. (Baicker K, Cutler D, Song Z. Workplace wellness programs can generate savings. Health Aff (Millwood). 2010;29(2):304-311.) While it always seems to come down to money, it can’t be denied that healthier individuals lead more fulfilling lives, not only do they live longer, but the years are spent out of the hospital, enjoying the things that make life worth living. Do your company and your employees a favor; invest in worksite wellness programs and watch your spending go down and your employees’ happiness go up!
To read the complete story and review the findings click here
In a new report issued by Healthways Center for Health Research, researchers estimate that over the course of 10 years, an average of 4.95 billion dollars can be saved through chronic disease prevention such as those provided by worksite wellness programs.
The researchers used a method of forecasting called standard actuarial modeling, wherein they evaluated the progression of health care costs based on projected increases in demand. They concluded that preventing chronic disease progression after age 25 in only 10% of people born in 2008 would provide a savings of $180 for each individual for each year through age 64. And, they further estimated that if this strategy could be expanded to reach 25% of this population, savings would reach $470 per individual annually, representing a savings of approximately $945 billion over ten years.
It’s all over the news that healthcare spending is out of control and that prevention is a key factor in changing the landscape! The authors of this recent study report that decreasing the cost of care will ultimately come down to a substantial decrease in the demand for care, through reduction of chronic disease. Health care for people with chronic diseases currently accounts for 75% of the nation’s total health care costs, and this number is expected to increase. Logically, one of the best bets we have for decreasing our health care costs lies in preventative care, and management of chronic disease; exactly what we practice at Wellness Workdays!
There is a lot of evidence that worksite wellness strategies are paying off.
Employers who have implemented wellness programs for employees have experienced short-term medical cost savings three times more than how much they invested in the programs. (Baicker K, Cutler D, Song Z. Workplace wellness programs can generate savings. Health Aff (Millwood). 2010;29(2):304-311.) While it always seems to come down to money, it can’t be denied that healthier individuals lead more fulfilling lives, not only do they live longer, but the years are spent out of the hospital, enjoying the things that make life worth living. Do your company and your employees a favor; invest in worksite wellness programs and watch your spending go down and your employees’ happiness go up!
To read the complete story and review the findings click here
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The State of Health of Our Healthcare Advisors!
We look to our healthcare professionals to give us advice, but do they follow their own health messages? And perhaps an even better question is, would you listen to your doctor’s advice, or any other health care professional, if clearly s/he was not following it personally?
I recently read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal focusing on what patients could learn from the way physicians take care of themselves. The article summarized that physicians, as a group, are leaner, fitter and live longer than the average American! What can we learn?
Another thing to keep in mind is that many studies show that doctors who exercise and watch their weight are more likely to counsel patients to do so.
The Physicians' Health Study (PHS), which has followed the health practices of about 25,000 male doctors since 1982, found that male physicians had better cholesterol levels than average: 76% were below 200 mg/d, and only 5% were over 240, compared with 20% of U.S. men aged 60. Only 14% of those male doctors had hypertension, compared with 65% of U.S. adults aged 60.
Perhaps this is because physicians tend to eat more healthfully. Forty three percent of male doctors in the PHS ate fish two to four times a week, and 11% ate it five times a week, which was associated with a 37% lower risk of dying of colorectal cancer. In a more recent survey, doctors in Canada ate 4.8 fruits and vegetables (far more than average Canadians) and drank caffeinated beverages just one to two times a day. And results from the Women Physician's Health Study (WPHS) which surveyed the health practices of 4,500 women doctors in the 1990s indicated that 8% of female doctors were vegetarian compared to 2% to 3% of the U.S. population.
These doctors are not just eating well, they are exercising. More than half of 2,115 Harvard Medical School physicians polled said they exercise for 30-60 minutes at least three times a week. And results of the PHS showed that those who exercised daily were only half as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes as those who didn't exercise.
Eating well and exercise are important to overall health, and so too are health screenings and preventative care, which physicians are more likely to do. When it came to breast health 86% of female ob/gyns aged 48 and over have had a mammogram in the past two years, compared with 70% of women in the U.S. population. Nearly 50% of female physicians in the WPHS said they always or nearly always used sunscreen outdoors (although 22% said they rarely or never did).
Where some doctors could use a hand is with their mental health, because as a profession, they are one of the busiest. When surveyed by the American College of Surgeons in 2008, only 36% of surgeons felt their work schedule left enough time for personal and family life, and only 51% would recommend that their children pursue a similar career. We often think of how our practitioners can enhance our own health, but little reflection is given to the mental health of our doctors. In a survey of 763 practicing physicians in California, 53% reported moderate to severe stress; only 38% described their daily stress as light. Thirteen percent said they used sedatives or tranquilizers, one-third reported little or no exercise and poor sleep and one-fifth worked more than 60 hours per week (compared with 34.5 hours for the average American.)
This article is very interesting and provides a lot of information about what we can learn from our doctors. Here is a link to the full article: Wall Street Journal Article
I recently read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal focusing on what patients could learn from the way physicians take care of themselves. The article summarized that physicians, as a group, are leaner, fitter and live longer than the average American! What can we learn?
Another thing to keep in mind is that many studies show that doctors who exercise and watch their weight are more likely to counsel patients to do so.
The Physicians' Health Study (PHS), which has followed the health practices of about 25,000 male doctors since 1982, found that male physicians had better cholesterol levels than average: 76% were below 200 mg/d, and only 5% were over 240, compared with 20% of U.S. men aged 60. Only 14% of those male doctors had hypertension, compared with 65% of U.S. adults aged 60.
Perhaps this is because physicians tend to eat more healthfully. Forty three percent of male doctors in the PHS ate fish two to four times a week, and 11% ate it five times a week, which was associated with a 37% lower risk of dying of colorectal cancer. In a more recent survey, doctors in Canada ate 4.8 fruits and vegetables (far more than average Canadians) and drank caffeinated beverages just one to two times a day. And results from the Women Physician's Health Study (WPHS) which surveyed the health practices of 4,500 women doctors in the 1990s indicated that 8% of female doctors were vegetarian compared to 2% to 3% of the U.S. population.
These doctors are not just eating well, they are exercising. More than half of 2,115 Harvard Medical School physicians polled said they exercise for 30-60 minutes at least three times a week. And results of the PHS showed that those who exercised daily were only half as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes as those who didn't exercise.
Eating well and exercise are important to overall health, and so too are health screenings and preventative care, which physicians are more likely to do. When it came to breast health 86% of female ob/gyns aged 48 and over have had a mammogram in the past two years, compared with 70% of women in the U.S. population. Nearly 50% of female physicians in the WPHS said they always or nearly always used sunscreen outdoors (although 22% said they rarely or never did).
Where some doctors could use a hand is with their mental health, because as a profession, they are one of the busiest. When surveyed by the American College of Surgeons in 2008, only 36% of surgeons felt their work schedule left enough time for personal and family life, and only 51% would recommend that their children pursue a similar career. We often think of how our practitioners can enhance our own health, but little reflection is given to the mental health of our doctors. In a survey of 763 practicing physicians in California, 53% reported moderate to severe stress; only 38% described their daily stress as light. Thirteen percent said they used sedatives or tranquilizers, one-third reported little or no exercise and poor sleep and one-fifth worked more than 60 hours per week (compared with 34.5 hours for the average American.)
This article is very interesting and provides a lot of information about what we can learn from our doctors. Here is a link to the full article: Wall Street Journal Article
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Take Meds as Directed: The health and financial consequences are drastic
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/05/10/millions_of_patients_skip_drug_doses_or_never_get_prescriptions/
I read a very interesting article several weeks ago about prescription drug misuse A large population of patients are misusing drugs by skipping doses; anywhere from a day here and there, to not filling prescriptions at all. While this problem seems to receive little attention, it is very widespread and the health and financial consequences are drastic.
According to this article there are several reasons individuals are not taking his or her prescriptions:
1. There are just too many medications to keep track of for some patients
2. Unwanted side effects
3. The effects of the drug are not immediate so the patient does not see the need for taking it
Price may also be an issue for many patients. Even if most of a patient’s prescriptions are generic, the cost of so many pills can add up very quickly. When reading this article, this paragraph gave me pause as this is something we speak to our corporate clients about.
“Last month, in the New England Journal of Medicine, a Harvard health economist and the New England Healthcare Institute’s president sketched in stark detail the consequences of patients failing to take their drugs. The behavior spawns hospital stays costing $100 billion a year — stays that could have been averted. And 89,000 deaths from high blood pressure could be prevented annually if hypertension drug regimens were followed.”
This staggeringly high amount of money almost pales in comparison to the amount of money that could be saved by employers and workers if individuals took his or her medication exactly as directed and refilled on time.
According to The Express Scripts 2009 Drug Trend Report, which quantifies and reports changes in drug spending on a year-to-year basis and details the costly effects of irrational behaviors on pharmacy-related costs projects that making simple changes like getting people to take their medicines, exactly as directed, or to refill their prescriptions on time could save employers and their workers as much as $163 billion a year in healthcare costs, i.e. $1 out of every $5 spent on prescription drugs is wasted.
Consider these numbers:
• $106 billion from medical costs is related to non-adherence to therapy (patients failing to take prescribed drugs thus potentially worsening their condition)
• $51 billion in missed opportunities related to lower-cost medication alternatives, both brand and generic.
• $6 billion in missed opportunities related to lower-cost options for delivery of medications.
There are things that you can do as an individual for you and your family:
1. Become educated about your medications and the medications your family members are taking. If you are an employer, be sure that your employees know the importance of filling prescriptions and taking medications exactly as directed.
3. Focus on prevention; change your lifestyle and increase your healthful eating habits so you are less reliant on medications in general.
There are things that you can do as an employer: A major component of our wellness plan focuses on "consumerism" or self-care...
1. Educate your employees to reduce the number of calls to the Emergency Room, reduce the incidence of preventable diseases, reduce the number of employee sick days, and increase the number of routine exams and preventive screenings.
2. Develop or include a behavior modification component in your existing wellness program to assist your employees to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle changes.
3. Focus on lifestyle change, education, prevention and working towards getting people well so they no longer need their medicine. And for those that do need medicine, create awareness programs to help them manage their chronic issue, whether it is heart disease, diabetes or allergies!
I read a very interesting article several weeks ago about prescription drug misuse A large population of patients are misusing drugs by skipping doses; anywhere from a day here and there, to not filling prescriptions at all. While this problem seems to receive little attention, it is very widespread and the health and financial consequences are drastic.
According to this article there are several reasons individuals are not taking his or her prescriptions:
1. There are just too many medications to keep track of for some patients
2. Unwanted side effects
3. The effects of the drug are not immediate so the patient does not see the need for taking it
Price may also be an issue for many patients. Even if most of a patient’s prescriptions are generic, the cost of so many pills can add up very quickly. When reading this article, this paragraph gave me pause as this is something we speak to our corporate clients about.
“Last month, in the New England Journal of Medicine, a Harvard health economist and the New England Healthcare Institute’s president sketched in stark detail the consequences of patients failing to take their drugs. The behavior spawns hospital stays costing $100 billion a year — stays that could have been averted. And 89,000 deaths from high blood pressure could be prevented annually if hypertension drug regimens were followed.”
This staggeringly high amount of money almost pales in comparison to the amount of money that could be saved by employers and workers if individuals took his or her medication exactly as directed and refilled on time.
According to The Express Scripts 2009 Drug Trend Report, which quantifies and reports changes in drug spending on a year-to-year basis and details the costly effects of irrational behaviors on pharmacy-related costs projects that making simple changes like getting people to take their medicines, exactly as directed, or to refill their prescriptions on time could save employers and their workers as much as $163 billion a year in healthcare costs, i.e. $1 out of every $5 spent on prescription drugs is wasted.
Consider these numbers:
• $106 billion from medical costs is related to non-adherence to therapy (patients failing to take prescribed drugs thus potentially worsening their condition)
• $51 billion in missed opportunities related to lower-cost medication alternatives, both brand and generic.
• $6 billion in missed opportunities related to lower-cost options for delivery of medications.
There are things that you can do as an individual for you and your family:
1. Become educated about your medications and the medications your family members are taking. If you are an employer, be sure that your employees know the importance of filling prescriptions and taking medications exactly as directed.
3. Focus on prevention; change your lifestyle and increase your healthful eating habits so you are less reliant on medications in general.
There are things that you can do as an employer: A major component of our wellness plan focuses on "consumerism" or self-care...
1. Educate your employees to reduce the number of calls to the Emergency Room, reduce the incidence of preventable diseases, reduce the number of employee sick days, and increase the number of routine exams and preventive screenings.
2. Develop or include a behavior modification component in your existing wellness program to assist your employees to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle changes.
3. Focus on lifestyle change, education, prevention and working towards getting people well so they no longer need their medicine. And for those that do need medicine, create awareness programs to help them manage their chronic issue, whether it is heart disease, diabetes or allergies!
Friday, April 16, 2010
President Obama Signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
On March 23, 2010 President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The new law will permit rewards such as premium discounts of up to 30% of the cost of coverage, for individuals who take an active role in his or her own health management.
There are some great details regarding wellness programs that were outlined in this bill which I'd like to share. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will:
• Provide grants for up to five years for small business employers to use in establishing wellness programs. (Funds appropriated for five years beginning in fiscal year 2011)
• Provide technical assistance and other resources to evaluate employer-based wellness programs.
• Conduct a national worksite health policies and programs survey to assess employer-based health policies and programs. (This study will be conducted within two years following enactment)
• Permit employers to offer employees rewards—in the form of premium discounts, waivers of cost sharing requirements, or benefits that would otherwise not be provided—of up to 30% of the cost of coverage for participating in a wellness program and meeting certain health-related standards. The reward limit may be increased to 50% of the cost of coverage if deemed appropriate.
• Employers must offer an alternative standard for individuals for whom it is unreasonably difficult or inadvisable to meet the original health-related standard. (Effective January 1, 2014)
• Establish ten, state pilot programs by July 2014 to permit participating states to apply similar rewards to companies participating in wellness programs, and expand programs in 2017 if found effective.
• Require a report on the effectiveness and impact of wellness programs. (Report due three years following enactment)
Another exciting detail in the bill is that it will require chain restaurants and food sold from vending machines to disclose the nutritional content of each item. (Proposed regulations issued within one year of enactment)
To learn more, please click on this link: http://healthyamericans.org/assets/files/Summary.pdf
In addition, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a global HR professional organization, has an article on their website that provides important details to take note of: http://www.shrm.org/Publications/HRNews/Pages/WellnessReformBoast.aspx
This is an exciting time for wellness!
There are some great details regarding wellness programs that were outlined in this bill which I'd like to share. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will:
• Provide grants for up to five years for small business employers to use in establishing wellness programs. (Funds appropriated for five years beginning in fiscal year 2011)
• Provide technical assistance and other resources to evaluate employer-based wellness programs.
• Conduct a national worksite health policies and programs survey to assess employer-based health policies and programs. (This study will be conducted within two years following enactment)
• Permit employers to offer employees rewards—in the form of premium discounts, waivers of cost sharing requirements, or benefits that would otherwise not be provided—of up to 30% of the cost of coverage for participating in a wellness program and meeting certain health-related standards. The reward limit may be increased to 50% of the cost of coverage if deemed appropriate.
• Employers must offer an alternative standard for individuals for whom it is unreasonably difficult or inadvisable to meet the original health-related standard. (Effective January 1, 2014)
• Establish ten, state pilot programs by July 2014 to permit participating states to apply similar rewards to companies participating in wellness programs, and expand programs in 2017 if found effective.
• Require a report on the effectiveness and impact of wellness programs. (Report due three years following enactment)
Another exciting detail in the bill is that it will require chain restaurants and food sold from vending machines to disclose the nutritional content of each item. (Proposed regulations issued within one year of enactment)
To learn more, please click on this link: http://healthyamericans.org/assets/files/Summary.pdf
In addition, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), a global HR professional organization, has an article on their website that provides important details to take note of: http://www.shrm.org/Publications/HRNews/Pages/WellnessReformBoast.aspx
This is an exciting time for wellness!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Blood Pressure.They Don't Call it the Silent Killer for Nothing!
I read a great story over the weekend in the New York Times Sunday Magazine titled "High Altitude" and wanted to be sure to share it with you. If you have the time, click here to read the entire article.
In summary, a middle-aged woman starts to feel terrible and her discomfort lasts for over a month. In the beginning she felt tired, suffering from fatigue and weakness. Over the course of the month she became weaker, felt like sleeping all the time, had a hard time getting through the day, felt nauseated and had occasional diarrhea.
She went to her primary care doctor of nearly 20 years for some help and was not listened to. She went to a new doctor looking for help and was taken seriously; this new doctor took tests and would be in touch. The day after visiting with the new doctor, the woman went shopping with her daughter and things went from bad to worse quickly. She had a hard time breathing, she could hear her blood pounding, her eyes starting hurting and she rushed to get home. When she got home the phone rang, it was her new doctor asking her to come in right away with her husband. The news was not good - she had to go to the hospital immediately after her appointment with her physician.
Her platelets were low, her kidneys were failing and her blood pressure was 225/115, alarmingly high. After running a series of tests, ruling out some potential diseases as the culprit, it turns out she had been suffering from untreated high blood pressure for years. She had absolutely no history of being treated for hypertension (high blood pressure). The cause for all her issues, it turns out, was malignant hypertension - a physiological crisis seen in people with chronically untreated high blood pressure.
After six months of treatment the woman finally felt better. She is currenty taking two forms of medicine, her vision is better and her energy is up, but her kidneys are still not working properly. If only she had been properly treated in the beginning by her doctor, all this may have been avoided.
Here are the facts according to the story:
• Although only 1 percent of those with hypertension will develop malignant hypertension, high blood pressure is so common that this, mere 1 percent can translate into hundreds of thousands of cases each year;
• High blood pressure is called “the silent killer” because it is usually asymptomatic and leads to other diseases — like heart disease and stroke — that do the killing;
• The current guidelines put a “normal” blood pressure at less than 120/80 and recommend treatment after two readings over 140/90.
How do you know if you are at risk and what steps should you take if you suffer from hypertension? Read on!
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a disease that very often does not have any symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose without regular screening. Fortunately, the screening process is fast, cheap and effective. Be sure to schedule your regular annual physical that includes a blood pressure check. Other places to have your blood pressure checked include, your dentist's office, hospital clinic, school nurse's office, company clinic, pharmacy, or at a health fair.
Are you at risk?
The following risk factors can influence your likelihood of developing hypertension:
Family history- If your parents or siblings have hypertension you are more likely to develop this disease.
Age and gender- As we age, our blood vessels become less elastic, and this increased rigidity can result in elevated blood pressure. Gender combined with age also has influence: A higher percentage of men than women have hypertension until age 45. From ages 45 to 54 and 55 to 64, the percentages of men and women with hypertension are similar. After that, a much higher percentage of women have hypertension than men.
Lack of physical activity- It’s no secret that physical activity influences cardiovascular health, and the absence of it can increase your risk of developing hypertension.
Diet- A diet low in healthful fruit, vegetables and whole grains is often high in processed foods that are both nutritionally deficient and often loaded with sodium. Sodium can increase blood pressure by causing the body to retain water thus increasing the volume of blood that has to be pumped through the body.
Despite “doing everything right”, one can still develop hypertension, so early detection through screening is the best tool to stay healthy. For useful information check out the American Heart Association’s website at http://www.americanheart.org.
Tips for treating hypertension
If you have already been diagnosed with hypertension there are several steps you can take to stat healthy.
Drugs-Take your prescribed medications. Anti-hypertensive agents and diuretics are the most frequently prescribed.
Exercise- Exercise can help reduce blood pressure. Research shows that the higher the blood pressure and less active the person was to begin with, the greater the likelihood that exercise will be effective in reducing blood pressure.
Weight control- If you are overweight, reduce your portion sizes and exercise more to lose weight. Weight loss is the most effective dietary measure you can take to lower your blood pressure if you are overweight.
Potassium- A high potassium intake can help protect against stroke. Foods high in potassium are: bananas, citrus fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and poultry.
Sodium/salt- Individuals who are salt-sensitive should try to reduce their salt or sodium intake. Individuals who eat foods high in salt often happen to eat fewer potassium containing foods. Processed foods are usually high in sodium and low in potassium. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to 2-3 grams (2000-3000 mg) per day.
Calcium- Calcium may be important in both prevention and treatment of high blood pressure. Studies of populations at risk of developing high blood pressure show that a low dietary intake of calcium correlates with a high prevalence of high blood pressure. Calcium supplements have been shown to lower blood pressure in individuals with and without high blood pressure. It’s recommended that you meet the dietary recommendations for calcium intake. Good sources of calcium are low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt and broccoli.
Alcohol- Two or more drinks per day are associated with high blood pressure and strokes. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to no more than one drink per day.
Fat- Fat’s contribution to arteriosclerosis is well known, especially saturated fat. Cutting down on saturated fat intake can reduce the risk of complications associated with high blood pressure (heart disease and strokes).
Other factors- Magnesium appears to protect against high blood pressure, and vitamin C also appears to have a protective role. Good sources of magnesium are dark green vegetables, legumes, whole grains and seafood. Good sources of vitamin C are fruits (citrus, especially) and vegetables.
Overall, weight management, exercise and a healthy diet can help protect against the long-term risks associated with high blood pressure. These tips can also improve quality of life, regardless of your age.
Category Blood Pressure Level from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program
Category: Systolic / Diastolic (mm Hg)
Normal: <120 / <80
Pre-Hypertension: 120–139 / 80–89
Stage 1 Hypertension: 140–159 / 90–99
Stage 2 Hypertension: 160 / 100
Source: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
In summary, a middle-aged woman starts to feel terrible and her discomfort lasts for over a month. In the beginning she felt tired, suffering from fatigue and weakness. Over the course of the month she became weaker, felt like sleeping all the time, had a hard time getting through the day, felt nauseated and had occasional diarrhea.
She went to her primary care doctor of nearly 20 years for some help and was not listened to. She went to a new doctor looking for help and was taken seriously; this new doctor took tests and would be in touch. The day after visiting with the new doctor, the woman went shopping with her daughter and things went from bad to worse quickly. She had a hard time breathing, she could hear her blood pounding, her eyes starting hurting and she rushed to get home. When she got home the phone rang, it was her new doctor asking her to come in right away with her husband. The news was not good - she had to go to the hospital immediately after her appointment with her physician.
Her platelets were low, her kidneys were failing and her blood pressure was 225/115, alarmingly high. After running a series of tests, ruling out some potential diseases as the culprit, it turns out she had been suffering from untreated high blood pressure for years. She had absolutely no history of being treated for hypertension (high blood pressure). The cause for all her issues, it turns out, was malignant hypertension - a physiological crisis seen in people with chronically untreated high blood pressure.
After six months of treatment the woman finally felt better. She is currenty taking two forms of medicine, her vision is better and her energy is up, but her kidneys are still not working properly. If only she had been properly treated in the beginning by her doctor, all this may have been avoided.
Here are the facts according to the story:
• Although only 1 percent of those with hypertension will develop malignant hypertension, high blood pressure is so common that this, mere 1 percent can translate into hundreds of thousands of cases each year;
• High blood pressure is called “the silent killer” because it is usually asymptomatic and leads to other diseases — like heart disease and stroke — that do the killing;
• The current guidelines put a “normal” blood pressure at less than 120/80 and recommend treatment after two readings over 140/90.
How do you know if you are at risk and what steps should you take if you suffer from hypertension? Read on!
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a disease that very often does not have any symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose without regular screening. Fortunately, the screening process is fast, cheap and effective. Be sure to schedule your regular annual physical that includes a blood pressure check. Other places to have your blood pressure checked include, your dentist's office, hospital clinic, school nurse's office, company clinic, pharmacy, or at a health fair.
Are you at risk?
The following risk factors can influence your likelihood of developing hypertension:
Family history- If your parents or siblings have hypertension you are more likely to develop this disease.
Age and gender- As we age, our blood vessels become less elastic, and this increased rigidity can result in elevated blood pressure. Gender combined with age also has influence: A higher percentage of men than women have hypertension until age 45. From ages 45 to 54 and 55 to 64, the percentages of men and women with hypertension are similar. After that, a much higher percentage of women have hypertension than men.
Lack of physical activity- It’s no secret that physical activity influences cardiovascular health, and the absence of it can increase your risk of developing hypertension.
Diet- A diet low in healthful fruit, vegetables and whole grains is often high in processed foods that are both nutritionally deficient and often loaded with sodium. Sodium can increase blood pressure by causing the body to retain water thus increasing the volume of blood that has to be pumped through the body.
Despite “doing everything right”, one can still develop hypertension, so early detection through screening is the best tool to stay healthy. For useful information check out the American Heart Association’s website at http://www.americanheart.org.
Tips for treating hypertension
If you have already been diagnosed with hypertension there are several steps you can take to stat healthy.
Drugs-Take your prescribed medications. Anti-hypertensive agents and diuretics are the most frequently prescribed.
Exercise- Exercise can help reduce blood pressure. Research shows that the higher the blood pressure and less active the person was to begin with, the greater the likelihood that exercise will be effective in reducing blood pressure.
Weight control- If you are overweight, reduce your portion sizes and exercise more to lose weight. Weight loss is the most effective dietary measure you can take to lower your blood pressure if you are overweight.
Potassium- A high potassium intake can help protect against stroke. Foods high in potassium are: bananas, citrus fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish and poultry.
Sodium/salt- Individuals who are salt-sensitive should try to reduce their salt or sodium intake. Individuals who eat foods high in salt often happen to eat fewer potassium containing foods. Processed foods are usually high in sodium and low in potassium. The American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium intake to 2-3 grams (2000-3000 mg) per day.
Calcium- Calcium may be important in both prevention and treatment of high blood pressure. Studies of populations at risk of developing high blood pressure show that a low dietary intake of calcium correlates with a high prevalence of high blood pressure. Calcium supplements have been shown to lower blood pressure in individuals with and without high blood pressure. It’s recommended that you meet the dietary recommendations for calcium intake. Good sources of calcium are low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt and broccoli.
Alcohol- Two or more drinks per day are associated with high blood pressure and strokes. If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to no more than one drink per day.
Fat- Fat’s contribution to arteriosclerosis is well known, especially saturated fat. Cutting down on saturated fat intake can reduce the risk of complications associated with high blood pressure (heart disease and strokes).
Other factors- Magnesium appears to protect against high blood pressure, and vitamin C also appears to have a protective role. Good sources of magnesium are dark green vegetables, legumes, whole grains and seafood. Good sources of vitamin C are fruits (citrus, especially) and vegetables.
Overall, weight management, exercise and a healthy diet can help protect against the long-term risks associated with high blood pressure. These tips can also improve quality of life, regardless of your age.
Category Blood Pressure Level from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program
Category: Systolic / Diastolic (mm Hg)
Normal: <120 / <80
Pre-Hypertension: 120–139 / 80–89
Stage 1 Hypertension: 140–159 / 90–99
Stage 2 Hypertension: 160 / 100
Source: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
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