All Workplace health Articles

The American Psychological Association's Annual Stress in America Survey finds almost half of American workers say they're stressed about their ability to provide for their families' basic needs, and eight out of 10 say the economy is a major stressor. A new Gallup poll says 64 percent of American workers describe themselves as either "struggling" or "suffering" due to Read more...

by Marla Hardee MillingMillions of Americans are shift workers who struggle to stayawake while they perform their jobs and then battle with insomniaand other sleep-related problems once they return home. Hereare some tips for getting a good night orday's sleep.You stand at the bathroom sink, yawn, and splash cold water onyour face. You glance at the clock—it's 10 pm. Instead of puttingon Read more...

by Anne Martinez When setting up a computer workstation, especially at home, we tend to use whatever furniture we have handy. But "making do" may cost you more than it saves in the long run, due to decreased productivity and increased medical expenses. The more time you spend in front of the computer, the more important it is to adjust your workstation. Ideally, it should fit like custom-made Read more...

As told to Nancy Hall Lindsay, a 25-year-old data analyst, suffered with abdominal pain for years before being diagnosed with endometriosis . Here, she describes how a supportive network of friends and family help her to cope with the discomfort she still experiences even after several years of treatment. What was your first sign that something was wrong? What symptoms did you experience? Read more...

by Elizabeth A. Peterson, MFA There is little doubt that the computer has revolutionized the modern office. But along with increased ease and efficiency, computer use has also given rise to new office-related injuries, such as repetitive motion disorders, computer vision syndromes, and varicose veins from prolonged sitting. What follows Read more...

Elizabeth A. Peterson, MFA and Jacquelyn Rudis It’s a mantra you could repeat in your sleep: eat less, make healthier choices, and get more exercise. But let’s face it, you’re busy, and even though you’ve sworn a thousand times that you’ll lose the ten pounds you’ve gained since you started your job, between the doughnuts Read more...

by Elizabeth A. Peterson, MFA Clinical depression is one of America’s most costly illnesses. Indeed, untreated depression costs the US economy more than $43 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and treatment costs, making it equally as costly as AIDS or heart disease. What is Depression? Read more...

by Amy Scholten, MPH Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to establish a link between occupation and cancer risk. Less than 2% of chemicals used in commerce have been tested for their potential to cause cancer. Further, the risk of developing cancer is influenced by a number of factors that are not clearly understood.General Risk Factors for Cancer According to the National Read more...

What should I do if I have low back pain at work?  Tell your supervisor right away, and see your doctor as soon as possible. Treatment usually consists of cold or heat therapy, pain medicine and exercise. Keep your employer and your doctor informed about your condition and work status. How long should the pain last?  Low back pain is a common problem, but it usually is Read more...

Nodding off at the wheel is a health care problem -- just talk to the drivers who do it. University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research officials say drivers who work night shifts, long hours or more than one job are at greater risk of being in a crash caused by falling asleep at the wheel. They say sleeping less than six hours per night, being awake for 20 hours or longer and driving Read more...