Illnesses, Deaths Tied to Vaping
New reports are showing that the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) is believed to be responsible for five deaths and 450 severe lung injuries. Continue reading this article from SHRM to learn more.
The use of electronic cigarettes, also known as vaping, is believed to be responsible for five deaths and 450 severe lung injuries in what appears to be a nationwide epidemic, according to new reports.
E-cigarettes are battery-operated and produce vapor that simulates smoking. They can resemble regular cigarettes, cigars, pipes, pens, USB sticks and other everyday items. They do not burn tobacco, but the device heats a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals.
While most employers ban smoking in the workplace, their policies don't always extend to e-cigarette products. However, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health alert on Aug. 30 warned that severe pulmonary disease is associated with using e-cigarette products. The agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched a multistate investigation into the lung illnesses on Aug. 1.
"Although more investigation is needed to determine the vaping agent or agents responsible," wrote Dr. David C. Christiani of the Harvard School of Medicine, "there is clearly an epidemic that begs for an urgent response." He shared his comments in the Sept. 6 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, along with the preliminary report "Pulmonary Illness Related to E-Cigarette Use in Illinois and Wisconsin."
The CDC is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, states and other public health partners and clinicians to determine what is sickening users, and in some cases resulting in fatalities. On Friday, it suggested that people refrain from using e-cigarette products during its investigation.
SHRM Online has collected the following articles about this topic from its archives and other trusted sources.
5 Deaths Linked to Vaping. Officials Are Urging Consumers to Stop. (Chicago Tribune)
How Are You Handling Vaping at Work? (SHRM Online)
More States Ban Vaping, E-Cigarette Use in Workplaces (Bloomberg)
Florida Adds Vaping to Regulated Indoor Smoking (SHRM Online)
SOURCE: Gurchiek, K. (6 September 2019) "Illnesses, Deaths Tied to Vaping" (Web Blog Post). Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/Pages/Illnesses-Deaths-Tied-to-Vaping-.aspx
Chronic Woes
The number of Americans suffering from multiple chronic conditions has grown over the past decade, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The percentage of Americans ages 45-64 with two or more chronic conditions jumped from 16 percent to 21 percent between 1999-2000 and 2009-10, according to the report. For older adults, the rate jumped to 45 percent from 37 percent over the same time period.
Workforce Obesity: What Can You Do?
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What can you do to help workers maintain a healthy weight and keep your bottom line healthy at the same time? Read about a company that's helping its workers lose tons of weight. |
| Employees of Health Care Services Corporation (HCSC) lost more than 53,000 pounds last year. HCSC is the owner and operator of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
According to Senior Vice President Dr. Paul Handel, that amount tops the company’s 20-ton weight-loss goal. A robust wellness program including fitness centers, classes, and healthy cafeteria food are part of the solution. "Many employers have viewed wellness programs as a nice extra when times are flush," says Handel. "We believe that the obesity epidemic and the rising toll of diabetes now make them a strategic imperative." Financial incentives are an important part of the HCSC strategy. In addition to tying wellness to annual bonuses, the company offers employees additional incentives of up to $200 a year for taking an annual wellness exam and logging their physical activity. Great news! BLR's renowned Safety.BLR.com® website now has even more timesaving features.
Other StrategiesThe key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, says the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), isn't about short-term dietary changes. It's about a lifestyle that includes: · Healthy eating; · Regular physical activity; and · Balancing the number of calories consumed with the number of calories the body uses. According to CDC the first step in maintaining a healthy weight is to look at the current situation. Body Mass Index (BMI) is one way to measure weight. BMI calculations are based on height and weight: · A BMI of 18.5 signifies being underweight. · The range between 18.5 and 24.4 is considered to be a normal weight. · The range between 24.5 and 29.9 is considered to be overweight. · A BMI between 30 and 40 is considered to be obese. · BMI of 40 and greater is considered to be morbid or extreme obesity. Your employees can calculate their BMI by going to |