Wellness

Lifestyle laws in 29 states may hamper employer efforts to maintain a strict smoke-free workplace.

Company also launches comprehensive measurement platform and succeeds in lowering its health care claims costs.

Health-contingent wellness programs can increase incentives for quitting tobacco use.

More American workers recognize the rewards of participating in workplace wellness programs, according to the latest survey from Principal Financial.

Two new FDA-approved weight loss drugs help patients lose weight but only in conjunction with diet and exercise.

The study from the National Business Group on Health and Fidelity Investments finds that nearly nine out of ten employers surveyed indicated that they currently offer wellness-based incentives (86%), an increase from 73% from 2011 and 57% from 2009.

A number of large employers and industry groups filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court this week, arguing that the conflicting dual regime of state and federal laws on gay marriage is administratively burdensome, as well as unfair to employees.

The misdiagnoses occurred most often during the doctor’s examination, including trouble getting a complete history from the patient, performing the physical exam and ordering tests, according to research published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Americans say they’re filling up less on fast food and pizza, according to a U.S. survey.

Most wellness initiatives are baby steps when it comes to moving the needle on employee health issues and costs. To move forward, there needs to be a shift in the way companies think about their most important asset, their employees, says EBA Blogger Sam Fleet.

A study last year had already indicated that patients were more likely to die in overcrowded emergency rooms, which could well become more commonplace as millions more get insured under PPACA.

Thirty-one percent of Americans who categorize themselves as suffering from high stress never discuss stress management with their health care provider, according to a new study from the American Psychological Association.

Men who took 1,000 milligrams or more of calcium supplements a day had a 20% higher chance of dying from cardiovascular disease then those who didn’t take the supplements, according to new research; women had no additional risk.

Almost 40% of boomers are obese, compared with 29% a generation ago. Fifty-two percent said they got no regular physical activity versus 17% of their parents, according to the study released this week.

Baby boomers have more chronic illness and disability than their parents, as their sedentary habits and expanding girth offset the modern medicine that enables them to live longer, a study said.

American Licorice Company uses weigh loss challenges and onsite exercise classes to help employees get healthy.

The death of employer-sponsored health care coverage is largely exaggerated, says Robert Galvin, CEO of Equity Healthcare.

A survey from Aon Hewitt, the National Business Group on Health and The Futures Company indicates that many American workers and their families have inaccurate perceptions about their own weight, condition and cost of health care.

Taking a physical health-only approach misses the mark on health and productivity

Behavioral health must play an integrated role in overall employee wellness efforts