Shift Work Reportedly Causally Related to Increase Risk of Diabetes and Heart Disease

Shift work has been shown to be associated with heart and metabolic disorders. A recently published study reports exactly how shift work is causally related in the long-term to both diabetes and heart disease. Workers’ Compensation claims may increase for such diseases going forward for injured workers seeking benefits for such medical conditions.

The Jury is Still Out on Wind Turbine Noise

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Occupational hearing loss claims have been have been associated with exposure to sources of loud noise for decades. One would think that new technology would limit noise exposure but maybe not so for energy production. A new study from Canada reflects that more research is need to determine whether wind turbine can produce adverse medical conditions.

Mediterranean Diet and Workplace Health Promotion

A recent report indicates that promoting healthier dietary habits at work significantly pays off by reducing: diabetes, cancer and heart related disease. The findings were published shortly after a recent Harvard School of Public Health program and it is co-authored by program co-chair Stefanos N. Kales MD.

Analytical and experimental studies confirm relationships between the consumption of certain foods and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Mediterranean diet patterns have long been associated with a reduced risk of major diseases and many favorable health outcomes. Data from observational, longitudinal, and randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that Mediterranean-style diets can improve body mass index and body weight, reduce the incidence of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome risk factors, decrease cardiovascular morbidity and coronary heart disease mortality, as well as decrease all-cause mortality.

Recently, efforts have attempted to improve dietary habits in the workplace, by modifying food selection, eating patterns, meal frequency, and the sourcing of meals taken during work. Evidence supporting the Mediterranean diet and the potential cardioprotective role of healthier diets in the workplace are reviewed here, and promising strategies to improve metabolic and cardiovascular health outcomes are also provided.

Mediterranean Diet and Workplace Health Promotion, Maria Korre, Michael A. Tsoukas, Elpida Frantzeskou, Justin Yang, and Stefanos N. Kales , Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2014; 8(12): 416.
Published online Oct 10, 2014. doi: 10.1007/s12170-014-0416-3

Related articles

• Is Ebola Too Big of Risk For The Nation's Workers' Compensation System? (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Pricey Medical Billing Errors Can Cost Thousands: What You Can Do to Prevent it From Happening to You. (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Global Handwashing Day - October 15, 2014 (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Against Rules, Dallas Worker With Ebola Boarded Plane (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
• Scott Walker: I Don't Think Minimum Wage 'Serves A Purpose' (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)

Official Disabilities Guidelines Now Covers Diabetes

Today's post comes from guest author Paul J. McAndrew, Jr. from Paul McAndrew Law Firm.

While diabetes is not a work injury or illness, it can have a serious impact on the rate at which an injured worker recovers. For instance, people with diabetes may have a much harder time healing from a foot or leg injury.

The latest edition of the annual Official Disabilities Guidelines (ODG) has been released, including the latest ODG volume on treating patients. ODG Treatment is the nationally recognized standard for medicine in determining the scope and duration of medical treatment in workers’ compensation.