| Strategies to improve employee and population health |  |
| Wellness Programs & Trends |  |  |
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- Nicotine testing is complex issue for companies, experts say
Testing employees for nicotine can get complicated because of laws that protect smokers' rights and unanswered questions on whether the test is a medical exam or whether nicotine addiction can be considered a disability, experts said. Consultant Polly Thomas of CBIZ in Cleveland said many employers opt for self-reporting of nicotine because it is less invasive and costly and builds a culture of trust. Human Resource Executive
(10/10)
- Minn. chamber offers Wellness Bucks to promote health
The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce in Minnesota is helping businesses improve employee health by offering Wellness Bucks, which can be redeemed at local businesses, to employees who participate in wellness activities. The chamber also created a resource guide for small businesses and gives awards to employers with strong wellness programs. Albert Lea Tribune (Minn.)
(10/10)
| Fitness |  |  |
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- These fitness gadgets can give workouts a boost
Five small gadgets, including a pedometer and a tape measure, can help keep track of workouts and progress toward reaching healthy goals. The list also includes BMI testers that help monitor fat loss, clip-on metronomes for pacing a workout, and interval-training timers that set rest and exercise periods within a workout. HellaWella
(10/9)
| Health News & Research |  |  |
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- West Nile outbreak in U.S. continues to spread
CDC officials announced on Wednesday that the number of West Nile cases continued to increase since last week, reaching a total of 4,249, including 168 deaths. Half of the cases were classified as neuroinvasive disease, while the other half were considered non-neuroinvasive. HealthDay News
(10/10)
- Report: Healthy aging reduces health care costs
Programs that support healthy aging lower health care costs and should receive sufficient government funding, according to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Immunizations are one example of preventive care that works and are underused globally, according to the report, which was sponsored by Pfizer. "It's crucial for policymakers to consider measures that help aging individuals remain active and healthy members of society to avoid the heavy burdens associated with the cost of long-term care," report editor Katherine Dorr Abreu said. BenefitsPro.com
(10/11)
- STI prevention messages on social media effective at 2 months
Exposure to messages on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections posted on Facebook increased the use of condoms among 16- to 25-year-olds at two months, a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found. However, researchers reported that use of social media as a tool for promoting STI prevention showed no significant impact at six months. DoctorsLounge.com/HealthDay News
(10/11)
| Schools & Community |  |  |
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- N.Y. county looks for ways to encouraging bicycling
Orleans County, N.Y., is creating community maps that show "cycling loops" along local trails to aid bicyclists and tourists, but officials say more needs to be done. Aside from printed maps, they want smartphone applications that show historical sites and businesses that cater to cyclists and tourists, along with more bike racks and better signage. The Daily News (Batavia, N.Y.)
(10/12)
| Wellness Industry Developments |  |  |
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 | Access Institute 2012 videos and presentations
Through the Institute 2012 Media Portal, you can access various Institute 2012 session recordings, including "Strategies for Helping Consumers Make Prudent Health Decisions" and "Thinking Forward: Doorways to Health System Change." Click here for details and click here to purchase access.
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| AHIP News |  |  |
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Managing the ICD-10 transformation
Business continuity and operational neutrality are two critical objectives of a successful ICD-10 transition. Learn about tools and analysis necessary to address risks around clinical, benefit, financial and operational parameters. Join us from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Oct. 23 to understand how these risks can be effectively addressed during each phase of ICD-10 transition. Register for this webinar.
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Get a better understanding of ACOs
AHIP’s new online course, “Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs),” covers ACOs from a historical perspective to their future impact on health care delivery and payment reforms. After completing the course, you’ll have answers to questions like "What are ACOs?", "How do ACOs affect U.S. health care?", "How are savings or deficits shared?" and more. Get details.
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| Position Title | Company Name | Location |
| Communications Coordinator | America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) | Washington, DC |
| Data Analyst | America's Health Insurance Plans | Washington, DC |
| CAQH CORE Manager, Education, Outreach and Participant Relations | Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare | Washington, DC |
| Manager, Hospital Clinical & Coding Operations | Independent Health | Buffalo, NY |
| Program Manager, Medicare Supplemental Products | AARP Services, Inc. | Washington, DC |
| SVP Accountable Care | Aurora Healthcare | Milwaukee, WI |
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| Click here to view more job listings. |
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| SmartQuote |  |  |
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 | Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."
--James Baldwin, American writer

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| AHIP Team |
Managing Editor, Online Publishing:
Yvonne Chanatry
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| | Recent AHIP Wellness SmartBrief Issues:
- Thursday, October 11, 2012
- Wednesday, October 10, 2012
- Tuesday, October 09, 2012
- Monday, October 08, 2012
- Friday, October 05, 2012
| | | Lead Editor: Kathryn Doherty

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