| Strategies to improve employee and population health |  |
| Wellness Programs & Trends |  |  |
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- Wellness experts say proposed rules give employers clarity
Proposed federal regulations governing employer-based wellness programs are a "good starting point" that use a best-practices approach to give companies structure and clarity when designing plans, according to Dr. Stephanie Mills, CEO of Franciscan Health and Wellness Services. Brenda Rooney of Gundersen Lutheran Health supports that the rules do not require a baseline incentive and use a reasonable maximum for incentives. HealthLeaders Media
(11/26)     
- Aetna program offers reimbursements for fitness efforts
Aetna in January will begin its Fitness Reimbursement Program, giving employer members rebates to help pay for gym fees, exercise classes, personal trainers, fitness equipment and weight management programs. Employers will be able to customize the program by selecting the reimbursement amount, extending the benefit to dependents or offering it to workers who are not enrolled in an Aetna plan. BenefitsPro.com
(11/28)
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- Exercise balls improve student behavior in Ind. class
Fifth-grade teacher Sara Wright is using exercise balls instead of chairs to improve students' attention spans and cooperation during class. Studies show using exercise balls improves behavior and "legible word productivity" of students with attention-deficient/hyperactivity disorder. "I've noticed a big difference," Wright said. "There's not many fifth-graders that love to come to school, but they come in and sit right down. They're excited to be here in the morning." Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Ind.)
(11/25)
| Health News & Research | | |
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- Mixing grapefruit with some drugs can be fatal
The number of drugs that can pose serious health risks when taken with grapefruit has increased 24% since 2008, a Canadian study found. Of the 85 medications that interact with grapefruit, 43 were linked to severe adverse effects, including cardiac arrest or even death. New Scientist
(11/27)
- Assessment formula may help estimate obesity risk in infants
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed an assessment formula, available as an online calculator, that predicts an infant's obesity risk by examining his or her birth weight, the parents' BMI, the number of people they live with, the mother's occupation and her smoking status while pregnant. The findings were published in PLOS One. Reuters
(11/28)
- Experts caution against expecting too much from probiotics
Probiotics are a fast-growing slice of the dietary supplement market and a hot area of scientific research, but experts say there still is little scientific evidence showing their efficacy and the products don't need FDA approval before they are sold. Some of the strongest data show probiotics have gastrointestinal benefits, but Michael Fischbach of the University of California, San Francisco, cautions people must be careful not to see them as a panacea. The Wall Street Journal
(11/26)
| Schools & Community | | |
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- Ind. district enlists celebrities to help push fruits, veggies
 Indianapolis Public Schools has launched the "Pick Your Favorite" program, which enlists celebrities to endorse healthy eating on posters placed in schools. Local athletes and other celebrities are seen on the posters holding a fruit or a vegetable. Meanwhile, the district is updating its menus to include healthier options for students. WXIN-TV (Indianapolis)
(11/28)
- Senators seek more flexibility for school meals
A South Dakota lawmaker is one of 11 senators who have sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack seeking more flexibility in new federal school-meal standards. "I want to make sure South Dakota school administrators, parents and students have their voices heard on this issue," U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson wrote in a statement. "We need to ensure our students have healthy meals at school, but there needs to be flexibility to accommodate the needs of our school districts." The Daily Republic (Mitchell, S.D.)
(11/27)
| Wellness Industry Developments | | |
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 | Access Institute 2012 recorded sessions
The Institute 2012 Media Portal gives you access to various Institute recorded sessions through Dec. 31, including "Thinking Forward: Doorways to Health System Change" and "Strategies for Helping Consumers Make Prudent Health Decisions." Click here for details and click here to purchase access. |
| AHIP News | | |
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Year-end savings on 2013 AHIP conferences
Take advantage of special-year end pricing on AHIP conferences, including the National Policy Forum, Institute 2013, Medicare/Medicaid Conferences, and Operations and Technology Forum 2013 (formerly the Fall Forum). You'll learn from world-class business, health care, and political speakers and have the opportunity to network with health care professionals from throughout the country. Register by 12:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 to save. Get details and register.
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Improving workforce productivity
Join us from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET on Nov. 29 to learn how to improve employee work processes and application flow by actively engaging your staff. The speakers will discuss what metrics can be used to improve workforce productivity and member service, all while lowering administrative costs. Register now.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | We acquire the strength we have overcome."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson,
American writer
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| AHIP Solutions Team |
Managing Editor, Online Publishing:
Yvonne Chanatry
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| | Recent AHIP Wellness SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, November 28, 2012
- Tuesday, November 27, 2012
- Monday, November 26, 2012
- Wednesday, November 21, 2012
- Tuesday, November 20, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Kathryn Doherty
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