A Message from the HAP Wellness Team

The beautiful weather has finally arrived and vacation plans are in the air. Don't let food-borne illnesses and sunburns ruin your vacation or summer plans. Refer to our wellness by the month flyers for some great food and sun safety tips.

When shopping for those fresh fruits and vegetables be aware of the "dirty dozen" -- those fruits and vegetables that have the highest levels of pesticide residue. Our wellness by the month flyer lists the "dirtiest" and the "cleanest" produce.

This is also the time of year when we become more active outside with sports, household chores and gardening.  Don't forget to watch your back! Keep a healthy spine through prevention, proper lifting and a healthy lifestyle.  To learn more about lifting techniques and stretches to keep your back healthy, contact us at livewell@hap.org.

Presenteeism has Big Impact on Productivity

Poor health among U.S. workers costs employers much more than many realize in reduced productivity, according to a multiyear study of 10 employers and more than 150,000 workers.

The study, published in the April 2009, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, found that presenteeism - when employees are present at their jobs but unable to perform at full capacity-creates a greater drain on company productivity than employee absence, a finding that may come as a surprise to many employers.

"Health-related productivity losses are as pervasive among executives and managers as they are among rank-and-file workers", says Dr. Ronald Loeppke, a principal author of the study. Dr. Loeppke said the study also found that the more conditions an employee has, the greater the effect on their work-related productivity.

For every dollar spent on medical costs and pharmaceuticals, there is $2.30 of health-related productivity losses due to absenteeism and presenteeism. For certain conditions, such as anxiety, employers lose as much as $20 in productivity for every dollar they spend on medical care and pharmaceuticals.

The study, one of the largest to date on the subject, found that when medical and prescription drug costs are considered alone, the top five conditions driving employer health care costs are cancer, back/neck pain, coronary heart disease, chronic pain and high cholesterol.

However, when medical and drug costs and productivity losses are factored into the equation, the five costliest conditions for employers are depression, obesity, arthritis, back/neck pain and anxiety.

This study provides strong data to support addressing health-related productivity costs, along with medical and pharmacy claims costs. The complete study "Health and Productivity as a Business Strategy: A Multiemployer Study" is available to purchase through PubMed or JOEM.

Health Topic of the Month - Men's Health (June)

Men's Health Week is celebrated each year during the week leading up to and including Father's Day. This year it is being recognized June 15 - 21 and HAP's Health Promotion department is offering several programs to help you celebrate for the entire month of June. Read the Featured Programs section below for more info.

Overall, the life expectancy of an American male has declined in recent years. Men are procrastinators in making wellness visits to their physician and when they do seek medical assistance, they are more likely to cancel follow-up appointments, more likely to play down the severity of symptoms and less likely to finish prescriptions.

To quote Congressman Bill Richardson (Congressional Record, H3905-H3906, May 24, 1994):

"Recognizing and preventing men's health problems is not just a man's issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue"

For more information and great resources on Men's Health, visit menshealthnetwork.org.

Health Topic of the Month - Massage and Reflexology (July)

Massage therapy can be defined as the "gentle practice of manipulating the body's tissues in order to soothe and heal." (ehealthmd.com)

Many companies are now including on-site or office chair massage as part of their wellness program. Chair massage focuses on the back, shoulders, neck, head and arms which are the areas that become fatigued from sitting at a desk all day.

Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a physical change to the body. (The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology [Third Edition])

In general terms the benefits of reflexology have to do with the reduction of stress. For more information on reflexology, visit reflexology-research.com.

HAP Featured Programs

Workshops - Men's Health and Sun Safety Presentations
Invite one of our experts to your worksite to present on Men's Health Issues or Sun Safety. For a more comprehensive program, enroll in our six week Managing High Blood Pressure program. We are also offering demonstrations on chair massages and reflexology sessions as part of our stress management program.

To schedule a presentation for your employees, please contact us at livewell@hap.org.

We request that you have a minimum of 25 participants at your workplace to make the program successful.

Weight Watchers®
Don't forget that HAP members receive a discount with the Weight Watchers program either through the Weight Watchers at Work program or as an individual. To enroll, call (888) 3-FLORINE or online at 8883florine.com. In addition, a representative from Weight Watchers will be presenting at the Worksite Wellness Forum on May 19.

Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.

At latitude 60 degrees south, you can sail all the way around the world.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist.

Explore our Wellness by the Month flyers and share with your employees.

When purchasing your fresh fruits and vegetables make sure they are locally grown. Not only will they be cheaper but they will be fresher and more nutritious. Don't forget to bring that reusable bag!

Looking to replace those chemicals you use in your garden? Consider garlic as an organic alternative to pest control. To find a homemade recipe for a garlic and pepper spray and additional tips on natural pest control, visit cdcg.org.

Crock-pot Fajitas: a simple way to enjoy a fiesta of taste! (see demo)

Blueberry Buckle: a delicious fat-free cake, so nutritious you can even eat it for breakfast! (see demo)

*Recipes are reprinted with permission from Zonya Foco's Lickety-Split Meals cookbook.

Start Planning Now!

In the months of August and September, we will be promoting workshops on Sun Safety and Healthy Eating. In addition we will be promoting our Weight Wise at Work® program -- a 6 week interactive diet-free program.

To learn more or to schedule any of these events contact us at livewell@hap.org.

Flu Season is around the corner. It is never too early to plan your worksite flu shot program. You can schedule your flu shot clinic by visiting henryford.com and selecting "flu shots" from the menu on the right. You can also go to findaflushot.com to find a flu shot clinic within your zip code.

To schedule a speaker, health fair or wellness workshop on any of our topics, please contact us livewell@hap.org.

Mark Your Calendars

The fall Worksite Wellness Forum is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Watch for your formal invitation in the mail!