| Strategies to improve employee and population health |  |
| Wellness Programs & Trends |  |  |
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- Companies turn to nicotine testing to verify nonsmokers
Some employers that charge workers who smoke extra for insurance coverage have moved from an honor system to nicotine testing to verify tobacco usage. Xerox started screening this year and gives employees a $300 insurance discount if they do the screening and another $300 discount for testing tobacco-free. Affinia Group went the other way, ending a policy of testing and asking employees to just admit if they use tobacco. MarketWatch
(3/5)     
- Kan. health system teams with bank for wellness project
Via Christi Health and Intrust Bank in Wichita are partners in a wellness pilot project that offers "executive physicals" to senior leadership as a way to make them more aware of their health. The bank has an ongoing wellness program but may work with Via Christi to offer additional services to other employees. The Wichita Eagle (Kan.)
(3/5)
| Fitness | | |
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- Activity tracker for children has a fun, social focus
Students at Patrick Henry Elementary school in Arlington, Va., use bright orange wristbands called Sqords that track their physical activity. The accelerometer is different from similar data-driven gadgets for adults because it is focused on scoring points, winning medals, competing with friends and sending messages through an avatar. The Washington Post/MisFits
(3/5)
| Health News & Research | | |
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- Survey: 29% of adults want to reduce gluten consumption
About 30% of U.S. adults want to reduce the amount of gluten they eat or to switch to a gluten-free diet, survey data from NPD Group indicate. While people still eat sandwiches, they are less likely to have bread with a meal and are choosing more gluten-free or wheat-free items when dining out, NPD's Harry Balzer says. USA Today
(3/5)
- Optimistic outlook may influence cholesterol levels in midlife
Middle-aged people with a more optimistic outlook in life had higher levels of high-density lipoproteins and lower triglyceride levels than pessimists, according to a study in the American Journal of Cardiology. Researchers found no link between optimism and total cholesterol levels or low-density lipoproteins. Reuters
(3/5)
- Losing weight while younger helps the heart, research shows
A study done with obese mice found that losing weight earlier in life can give the heart a chance to repair damage caused by carrying extra pounds, Johns Hopkins University researchers say. Cardiologist Dr. Lili Barouch said people should lose weight as soon as possible and not wait for major problems to occur.  WJZ-TV (Baltimore)
(3/5)
| Schools & Community | | |
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- Healthy habits catch on among Conn. students
An after-school program in nine cities nationwide, including Hartford, Conn., is promoting wellness and is aiming to curb childhood obesity, in part, by teaching students about nutrition. The Catch Health Habits program teaches students to identify "whoa," "slow" and "go" foods and encourages physical activity. CTMirror.org (Connecticut)
(3/5)
| Wellness Industry Developments | | |
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 | AHIP Now Offers IT-Focused Health Insurance Education
A rising emphasis on IT throughout the health care industry is increasing the demand of trained IT professionals. AHIP offers a program that educates IT professionals of all levels about health insurance. The curriculum includes two professional designations, webinars, workshops, online courses, and more. Click here for details.
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| AHIP News | | |
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Sponsorship opportunities available for AHIP's Institute 2013
Sponsoring AHIP’s Institute 2013, June 12 to 14 in Las Vegas, will provide you with numerous opportunities for face-to-face interaction with hundreds of health care decision-makers who attend to learn and network. Contact AHIP’s Business Development Team at BusinessDevelpment@ahip.org or 866.707.AHIP (2447) to learn more.
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Navigating Through Challenges of the Health Insurance Marketplace
Join us from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET on March 7 to gain insight into best practices for operating an effective risk adjustment program. In addition, learn from the successes of Medicare Advantage, as well as differences between the Marketplace risk score accuracy and that of Medicare Advantage. Register now.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want."
--Anna Lappé,
American writer, speaker and activist
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| AHIP Solutions Team |
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| | Recent AHIP Wellness SmartBrief Issues:
- Tuesday, March 05, 2013
- Monday, March 04, 2013
- Friday, March 01, 2013
- Thursday, February 28, 2013
- Wednesday, February 27, 2013
| | | Lead Editor: Kathryn Doherty
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