| Strategies to improve employee and population health |  |
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- Report: Poor employee well-being affects job performance
A Healthways report found employees who had low levels of well-being were more likely to have low job performance -- including being 47 times more likely to have high presenteeism -- and were twice as likely to have higher health care claim costs. Report author Dr. Yuyan Shi said employers can use such data to create programs to reduce health costs and improve productivity. Employee Benefit News
(11/1)     
- Mobile devices, apps connect workers to wellness programs
Employers use mobile devices and health applications to offer wellness programs to employees who travel or work off-site. Consulting firm Accenture uses RedBrick Health to create a health portal where employees anywhere can go to get online coaching, track their fitness and participate in virtual challenges. Workforce online
(10/30)
- Smoking cessation is a long-term wellness project
 Companies need to view employee smoking cessation as a long-term initiative and not expect a quick return on investment, says HealthLink president Steve Martenet. Programs should have a personalized approach, support for employees, incentives and a way to gauge success, he says. Smart Business
(11/2012)
| Fitness | | |
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| Health News & Research | | |
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- Parents say they're responsible for childhood obesity
A survey by Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity showed that parents think 60% of the responsibility for the rise in childhood obesity rests with them, with an unhealthy food environment as the rest of the cause. Researchers also found that about 72% of parents backed stronger school lunch standards, while 57% supported bans on TV advertisements that target young children. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots blog (tiered subscription model)
(11/1)
- CDC: Spread of West Nile outbreak begins to wane
The CDC reported on Wednesday that the West Nile virus outbreak continues to spread, but the pace seems to be slowing. Researchers reported 166 new cases, including four deaths, in the last week, down from 199 new cases, including 36 deaths, the previous week. Reuters
(10/31)
- Reduced risk of dementia is seen with caffeine intake, exercise
A study published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine found that caffeine consumption may reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease because of its ability to bind to cerebral adenosine receptors. Another study, published in the journal Stroke, showed that regular exercise in seniors can reduce the chance of developing vascular-related dementia by 40% and cognitive impairment by 60%. Orlando Sentinel (Fla.)/Vital Signs blog
(11/1)
| Schools & Community | | |
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- Many U.S. children have access to junk food in schools
A report from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation showed that a significant number of schools in almost 75% of states sell unhealthy snacks such as chips and candy. Differing state policies governing school snacks emphasize the need for stricter standards, researchers said. Reuters
(11/1)
- Middle-school garden goes to the birds
 A middle school in Tennessee has obtained a permit to keep chickens on its 1-acre, on-campus garden, which functions as an outdoor classroom for students and a community garden. While students have limited contact with the chickens, educators say the garden -- which also produces pumpkins, kale, okra, carrots, onions and herbs -- helps teach students where food comes from and how to make healthy choices. The Tennessean (Nashville)
(10/25)
| Wellness Industry Developments | | |
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| AHIP News | | |
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Enjoy various recorded sessions from Institute 2012
The Institute 2012 Media Portal gives you access to various Institute recorded sessions and PowerPoint presentations through Dec. 31. You can enjoy sessions including “Strategies for Helping Consumers Make Prudent Health Decisions” and “Thinking Forward: Doorways to Health System Change.” Get details and purchase access.
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AHIP PPO Direct – Growing Opportunities
PPO Direct brings PPO network members exposure to an audience of potential payers and administrators looking to expand their provider network. Providence Preferred, a member of PPO Direct, is the largest vendored preferred provider organization in the state of Oregon and Southwest Washington; their payers rank among the largest in the nation.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things."
--Ray Bradbury,
American writer
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| AHIP Team |
Managing Editor, Online Publishing:
Yvonne Chanatry
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| | Recent AHIP Wellness SmartBrief Issues:
- Thursday, November 01, 2012
- Wednesday, October 31, 2012
- Tuesday, October 30, 2012
- Monday, October 29, 2012
- Friday, October 26, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Kathryn Doherty
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