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Howard Leight dispels common misconceptions associated with hearing protection

In the world of personal protective equipment, bad assumptions are hazardous and can result in injury -- or worse. Yet, despite 25 years of government regulation, a handful of persistent bad assumptions are widespread -- endangering both the effectiveness of occupational Hearing Conservation Programs (HCPs) -- and worker hearing.

2 Dec 2009

Unemployed who are losing COBRA subsidy face dramatically higher insurance payments

The temporary federal subsidy program that helped thousands of unemployed people cover the costs of their health insurance is coming to a close, but government officials are looking for ways to continue it.

1 Dec 2009

Employers strengthen their benefit programs and initiatives to improve health and productivity of workers

Despite pressure to reduce budgets, many large U.S. employers are ramping up initiatives to improve worker health and productivity, according to a survey by Watson Wyatt, a leading global consulting firm, and the National Business Group on Health, an association of more than 280 mostly large employers.

1 Dec 2009

CBO report: Senate health proposal would raise some premium costs

Reuters: "The U.S. Senate's healthcare bill would raise insurance premiums by at least 10 percent by 2016 for those independently buying coverage, but subsidies would reduce the actual costs for half of that group, the Congressional Budget Office said on Monday."

30 Nov 2009

DeHiGate develops prototype box for emergency services

On September 11, firefighters, police officers and ambulance workers faced a terrifying rescue effort in the World Trade Center complex. They battled to save people from the collapsing Twin Towers, searched for survivors, tackled fires and evacuated as many people as they could in an area which contained an estimated 17,000 people.

26 Nov 2009

ADA and Temple University team up to improve oral health in underserved communities

The American Dental Association (ADA) has signed an agreement with Temple University to train new dental team members as part of a pilot program to improve the oral health in underserved communities.

24 Nov 2009

Hallmark Insights to provide incentive rewards for TriZetto’s Value-Based Benefits Solution

The TriZetto Group, Inc. today announced that Hallmark Insights, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., will provide incentive rewards as an integrated component of TriZetto’s Value-Based Benefits Solution for healthcare payer organizations. Available in early 2010, TriZetto’s software solution will enable health plans using TriZetto’s enterprise administration systems to offer employers automated benefit programs that incent members to adopt healthier lifestyles and effectively manage chronic conditions.

24 Nov 2009

Compliance directive issued to protect health care workers from 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus

For the protection of frontline health care and emergency medical workers at high risk of infection, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued a compliance directive to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus.

21 Nov 2009

Quest Diagnostics reports sharp downward trends in cocaine and methamphetamine use

New data released today by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the nation's leading provider of employment-related drug testing services, reveal that drug testing of hair specimens from employees and job applicants in the general U.S. workforce has tracked sharp downward trends in cocaine and methamphetamine use from 2005 to the first half of 2009 that mirror similar drops shown by urine testing.

From Quest Diagnostics 20 Nov 2009

NIEHS grants $13 million for engineered nanomaterials research

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health, is increasing its investment in understanding the potential health, safety and environmental issues related to tiny particles that are used in many everyday products such as sunscreens, cosmetics and electronics. The NIEHS will award about $13 million over a two-year period, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to bolster the NIEHS's ongoing research portfolio in the area of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs).

20 Nov 2009

OSHA statistics do not reflect the real risk workers face from workplace hazards, says GAO report

America's workers suffer more workplace injury and illness than employers report, and medical professionals are under pressure from employers to misdiagnose and under-treat work-related health conditions, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

17 Nov 2009

Macomb County targets pregnant women and health care workers for its next two H1N1 vaccine clinics

Pregnant women, their families and health care workers are being targeted by the Macomb County Health Department for its next two H1N1 vaccine clinics, department officials announced today. All are being offered at no charge.

16 Nov 2009

Frequent heartburn is painful and impacts the quality of life: Study

While most adults have likely experienced the uncomfortable symptoms of heartburn at least once, for the 50 million American adults who suffer from frequent heartburn two or more days per week, the condition is not only painful, it can also impact their quality of life.

12 Nov 2009

Two VA employees lose their lives in Ft. Hood shooting

In the midst of providing mental health services and other support to the Ft. Hood community following the recent shooting, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) learned about its own losses from the violence. Two VA employees, both serving on active duty with their Army Reserve units, were among the slain. A third VA health care worker on reserve duty was seriously wounded.

11 Nov 2009

Results from the study on occupational exposure to bisphenol A published

This study of occupational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) among male factory workers in China provides interesting new information, although its relevance to average consumers who use products containing minute amounts of BPA is limited, at best.

11 Nov 2009

Occupational contact dermatitis and asthma are most common work-related health issues, says new research

Occupational contact dermatitis and asthma are two of the most common work-related health issues facing workers worldwide, according to experts presenting the latest research at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

11 Nov 2009

Science-based health policies could prevent nearly 4m maternal, child deaths in Africa, report says

Nearly 4 million deaths among women and children in sub-Saharan Africa could be prevented annually if relatively inexpensive, "science-based health policies" reached 90 percent of families, according to an African Science Academy Development Initiative (ASADI) report (.pdf) published Monday, Nature News reports.

10 Nov 2009

NIOSH funds the DUSTI project

In the construction industry, respiratory disease, often leading to disability or an increased risk of cancer, is a major public health concern. Studies led by Deborah Young-Corbett, a faculty member in Virginia Tech's School of Construction, have shown that specific types of sanding tools are highly effective in reducing the dust that causes these health hazards, yet the industry's usage of the available technology remains very low.

10 Nov 2009

New FDA Food Code published

The Food and Drug Administration today announced the publication of the new FDA Food Code, a model code and reference document that provides a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service segment of the food industry. The 2009 FDA Food Code is a key component of the President's overall public-health-focused food safety framework for maintaining a safe food supply.

10 Nov 2009

Preparis unveils new website to help businesses and employees prepare for swine flu pandemic

Preparis, Inc. today associated the rapid spread of H1N1 pandemic to the high percentage of companies that are not doing enough to prevent its spread in the workplace. In response, the company has unveiled a special website dedicated to helping businesses and their employees prepare for the “swine flu” pandemic. This free service, called H1N1 Central, takes a decidedly business-centric and hands-on approach. It can be found at www.preparis.com.

6 Nov 2009

Worker News and Research

Howard Leight dispels common misconceptions associated with hearing protection

Unemployed who are losing COBRA subsidy face dramatically higher insurance payments

Employers strengthen their benefit programs and initiatives to improve health and productivity of workers

CBO report: Senate health proposal would raise some premium costs

DeHiGate develops prototype box for emergency services

ADA and Temple University team up to improve oral health in underserved communities

Hallmark Insights to provide incentive rewards for TriZetto’s Value-Based Benefits Solution

Compliance directive issued to protect health care workers from 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus

Quest Diagnostics reports sharp downward trends in cocaine and methamphetamine use

NIEHS grants $13 million for engineered nanomaterials research

OSHA statistics do not reflect the real risk workers face from workplace hazards, says GAO report

Macomb County targets pregnant women and health care workers for its next two H1N1 vaccine clinics

Frequent heartburn is painful and impacts the quality of life: Study

Two VA employees lose their lives in Ft. Hood shooting

Results from the study on occupational exposure to bisphenol A published

Occupational contact dermatitis and asthma are most common work-related health issues, says new research

Science-based health policies could prevent nearly 4m maternal, child deaths in Africa, report says

NIOSH funds the DUSTI project

New FDA Food Code published

Preparis unveils new website to help businesses and employees prepare for swine flu pandemic

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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