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Healthier People, Healthier Lives
Health Matters
That May Affect Your Business
by Dr. Barney Spivack, LifeCare Medical Director
For Better Health, Continue Working…
A study published this Fall in the Journal of Occupational
Health Psychology shows that men and women who continue working
after retirement—either part-time or full-time—enjoyed
better health than did those who quit work. Because this study controlled
for health before retirement, the study confirmed what has commonly
been recommended for successful aging—that being active intellectually,
physically, and socially keeps older adults healthy. Given the aging
of the workforce, employers and health plans should focus their
efforts on programming to continue to keep employees and members
engaged, active, and healthy for years to come. Further
details about this study are available here.
Predicting Future Costs of Obesity Epidemic
There is now a review supported by the American
Public Health Association and other groups which predicts the impact
of obesity on health care costs analyzed state by state as well
as nationally. Alarmingly, the report indicates that if national
trends continue, then by the year 2018, 43% of adults in the US
will be obese, and the spending due to obesity will quadruple. This
trend can be reduced by evidence-based lifestyle management programs
targeting healthy eating, weight management, and physical activity
promotion. A focus on prevention and health promotion has received
greater emphasis in the health reform efforts currently underway,
and programs fostering behavior change will likely see renewed emphasis.
View
the report.
Rate of Cigarette Smoking Shows No Decrease
According to a just released report from the CDC,
20.6% of adults in the US population are smokers—representing
no real change from the prevalence reported last year. The rate
varies significantly from state to state, with W. Virginia having
the highest prevalence at more than 26% and Utah the lowest at 9.2%.
Although the rate nationally is lower than the high 24% rate noted
in 1998, much more can be done to bring the current rate down. Smoking
cessation programs remain the most effective way for smokers to
improve health, but these programs have been underfunded. The prevalence
of exposure to second hand smoke, given its well-known effects on
health for non-smokers, was also tracked in this report. Learn
more.
As always, I want to address the topics that are
most important to you in this column and the best way to do that
is with your input! So please
feel free to email me with questions, success stories or comments.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Barney Spivack's medical career spans more
than 25 years, with a focus on the care of older adults, chronic
disease, and long-term care. Prior to joining LifeCare, he was the
Director of Medical Services at Waveny Care Network in New Canaan,
Connecticut. Before that, he was Director of Geriatric Medicine
at Norwalk and Stamford Hospitals. Dr. Spivack also is active in
the American Medical Directors Association and is Founding President
of the Connecticut Geriatrics Society. |
