Health Matters

Study Finds Link between Midlife Heart Disease and Later Dementia

The contemporary view of brain health is based upon an awareness that lifestyle and other modifiable factors can have an impact on future cognitive performance. Up to now, late life cognitive dysfunction (such as dementia) has been linked to cerebrovascular disease but there has been less of an established link with coronary heart disease. There is now data from a long-running study of a large number of civil servants in London showing a direct relationship between the duration of coronary heart disease and the later development of dementia. Because the major factors for coronary disease—e.g., hypertension, diabetes, cigarette smoking, hyperlipidemia, and lack of physical activity—are modifiable, this study provides important information that supports the arguments for adopting healthier lifestyles in midlife.

Disease Prevention Programs Offer Big Potential Payoff

A new report highlights the need to better incorporate preventive health practices within our healthcare system: according to its findings, a small strategic investment in disease prevention could save America more than $16 billion in five years. The report—issued by Trust for America’s Health, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to making disease prevention a national priority—uses evidence-based studies focused on community-based prevention programs that promote physical activity, good nutrition, and smoking cessation. Researchers showed that the return on investment over 5 years would be $5.60 for every $1 invested. Although the report is focused primarily on community-based programs, the findings make a compelling case for employers to consider examining the wide variety of disease-prevention and wellness programs available and initiating some of those that make sense for their employee populations.

Education Prevents Falls

Falling is unfortunately common among older adults and the results are potentially serious. Although much is known about how to prevent falls, these effective strategies are not in wide usage. In a study supported by the National Institute on Aging, researchers showed that the rate of injuries from falls was reduced if clinicians were provided with effective risk assessments and strategies for the prevention of falls (and presumably changed clinical practice as a result of this intervention). Importantly, it was shown that use of fall-related medical services was reduced in association with this educational intervention. This study should reinforce nationwide efforts to provide fall and injury prevention educational programs.

Study Finds Children Aged 9 to 15 Curtail Physical Activity

Using data collected by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, researchers have discovered that children between the ages of nine and 15 dramatically reduce their daily exercise levels. Although the reasons for this significant decline were not forthcoming from this study, it showed that median daily moderate-to-vigorous exercise during weekdays fell from nearly three hours a day at age nine to only 43 minutes at age 15. Given the numerous negative impacts that a sedentary lifestyle in childhood has on one’s health later in life, we should redouble our efforts to ensure that children and their parents understand the need for regular physical activity.

Companions Improve Doctor Visits for Older Adults

Having a friend or family member accompany an older adult on a visit to the doctor might actually help create a more satisfying experience. In an interesting study using a Medicare data base, “visit companions” were shown to enhance communication between the doctor and patient, and they were actively involved in improving care processes such as recording physician instructions, providing information regarding patients’ medical needs, and asking helpful questions. Patients who had companions with them generally were more satisfied with the doctor visit, even in terms of the physician’s technical skills. The beneficial relationship was strongest for those older adults with the worst self-reported health. Thankfully, this study helps to recognize the positive contribution friends and family members can make to the health of their loved ones, especially among vulnerable older patients.

Employers Have a Narrow Window for Retaining Older Workers

A new survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that organizations wanting to retain older workers often simply need to ask and offer the appropriate incentives -- but it also revealed that employers have a fairly small window to do so. Based on input from retirees surveyed, employers have about two years during which they might be able to change employees’ retirement timing through incentives such as interesting work assignments, seasonal or contract work, and financial rewards. More than 60% of retirees stated that they would have been open to staying longer with their employer if approached. According to the survey, employees usually retired for one of 4 reasons: affordable retirement, lack of job satisfaction, desire for more personal time, or poor health status.

Waistlines Become a Workplace Issue

Obesity is now costing companies $45 billion a year, according to sources identified in an interesting article that appeared recently in The New York Times. The article goes on to enumerate the many ways that obesity impacts American business, including the fact that obese people tend to miss work more often and that obesity is also a more powerful trigger for chronic health problems than either smoking or heavy drinking.

Report Highlights Need for Workplace Cancer Prevention Programs

Although death rates from common cancers have declined, a recent report published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates that most of this decline occurred in people who were college educated. Apparently, people without the benefit of higher education have not gained as much from advances in prevention, screening and treatment. This finding should reinforce corporate support for workplace programs that are designed to educate individuals about cancer and cancer prevention, especially among blue collar workers. But when you consider the potential cost savings such education can bestow on an organization, all employers would be wise to enhance their cancer-oriented educational efforts.

Cardiovascular Prevention Practices -- Costly but Effective

Cardiovascular disease is by far the most significant condition impacting morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Although proven preventive efforts are well known, they are not commonly applied. A statistical analysis coordinated by the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society showed that applying 11 nationally recommended prevention practices for cardiovascular health to the nearly 80% of the 20 to 80-year-olds in the population today who meet criteria for these preventive efforts would reduce heart attacks by 63% and strokes by 31%. In addition, it would add an average of about one and a half years of life expectancy. The greatest benefits would accrue from just a few preventive interventions, such as using aspirin to prevent heart attacks, controlling pre-diabetes, and reducing weight in those who are obese. Because most preventive efforts are expensive, we will need to find ways to make these health protective measures more affordable so that they may achieve their full potential.

Early Child Care Enhances Risk of Childhood Obesity

While placing one’s child in child care is associated with benefits in cognitive and other developmental areas, analysis of data in a nationally representative sample shows that nonparental child care in the first three months after birth is associated with greater risk for excessive weight gain in childhood due to the likelihood that breastfeeding will be significantly decreased. The data shows that part-time nonparental child care before the age of three months decreased breastfeeding by 40% and increased early use of solid foods by 75% compared with fulltime parental care. Considering the findings of this analysis and the many other benefits of breastfeeding, employers should continue to encourage breastfeeding among their working parents—especially those who use early surrogate child care.