Fall 2011 Newsletter

Preconception health: A workplace wellness matter

"A healthy workplace can help men and women have the healthiest families possible - even before conception" (Best Start, 2010)

Did you know...

• Women in their reproductive years make up almost half of all workers?
• Eight out of ten women will become pregnant during their working life?
• 50% of York Region women will have a planned pregnancy and take necessary measures to prepare for a family?
• Men's health is very important, especially in the three months prior to conception?

This is important information for employers because...
Research has shown that women who work are more likely to have a healthy baby. Most women continue to work throughout their pregnancy and return to work after the baby is born.

Sensitivity in creating a healthy pre-pregnancy workplace benefits the employers; pregnant employees are more committed to their workplace and have higher performance ratings.

Benefits of a healthy workplace show that employees may:

• Be more likely to stay with the company
• Do a better job
• Work harder
• Be healthier
• Be more present and on time for work
• Have healthier pregnancies, babies and families

Prior to conception and during the crucial days and weeks of early pregnancy, women and men may be exposed to risks at work that can affect their health and the health of their future child. In many cases this exposure occurs prior to a woman knowing she is pregnant.

Possible risks include:

• Chemical (e.g. lead, solvents)
• Biological (e.g. German measles, toxoplasmosis)
• Ergonomic (e.g. heavy lifting, standing)
• Physical (e.g. excessive noise, heat)
• Lifestyle (e.g. smoking, caffeine, and alcohol consumption)
• Stress (e.g. job hours and security, management style)

What can employers do to promote preconception health?

• Create, promote and increase awareness of policies and practices in the workplace that:
  • Provide useful information about preconception health and family planning for women and men including healthy lifestyle practices (smoking and alcohol use)
  • Provide family friendly policies for work-life balance after the employee has returned to work
• Identify potential risks in the workplace
• Print or order informational posters, pamphlets and other current resources to post in your workplace.

Additional Information:

Protecting yourself against the flu: Get the flu shot…it's free!

While it's business as usual for workplaces, it's almost flu season.

Flu viruses are mainly spread from person-to-person contact through coughing or sneezing and from touching contaminated objects or surfaces, then touching the eyes, mouths or noses. Flu symptoms may include a fever, cough, sore throat, joint pains and weakness.

It is highly recommended to get an annual flu shot as the strains of the flu virus change over time, and the components of the vaccine change each year. When the vaccine matches the circulating flu virus, it can prevent illness in about 70% to 90% of healthy adults and children.

The flu vaccine is recommended for all individuals six months of age and older especially those at higher risk of complications from the flu.

To reduce the risk of illness and stay healthy:

• Wash your hands well and often or use a hand sanitizer that contains between 60 to 90 per cent alcohol
• Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue. Dispose of tissues immediately
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Stay home when you are ill and limit your contact with others
• Clean and disinfect shared surfaces

Visit our website at www.york.ca/flu in the fall for the latest information and clinic details, or contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (TTY 1-866-252-9933).

The journey on the road to resilience starts now

October 10, 2011 is World Mental Health Day

Current statistics indicate that over 50% of Canadian employees are experiencing a great deal of stress at work.¹  Employee stress and health outcomes are linked closely to the organization of work, workplace culture and the psychosocial work environment.²  Additionally, Canadians are experiencing extreme levels of stress due to work-life conflict. ³  The reality is that stress-related illnesses may impact companies in terms of lost productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher insurance and benefits claims.⁴  Canadian employers may want to explore ways to address the root causes of employee stress in order to help ensure that their companies continue to be competitive and to ensure that their workplaces are safe and healthy.

Help your employees acquire effective coping skills and explore ways to reduce stress in the workplace. The Road to Resilience Game is a great way for employees to test and enhance their knowledge of stress management.

For more information, visit www.york.ca/workplacewellness or contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (TTY 1-866-252-9933).

Smoking cessation programs increase profits and decrease expenses

Effective comprehensive smoking cessation programs will increase employee productivity, improve employee health, decrease absenteeism, better employee retention and decrease expenses.

Many smokers are motivated to quit when the weather gets colder. Consider a comprehensive smoking cessation program for your company.

Almost 70 per cent of all smokers want to quit for varied reasons; personal health concerns, high cost of cigarettes or simply to improve their overall quality of life. Workplaces can play an important part in helping employees become smoke-free through a range of programs, supports and activities. Employees who smoke cost Canadian employers over $4.4 billion dollars in lost productivity with the highest risk group being young adults.

Smoking cessation programs are one of the most cost-effective benefits employers can offer and there are a variety of approaches and options available. Employers of all sizes and budgets can provide direct, workplace-based assistance to employees interested in quitting.

The most successful approach to smoking cessation makes room for a range of strategies that address all aspects of the addiction; support for cessation aids, smoke-free grounds policies at work, access to self-help materials, incentives and linking to free quit coaches such as Smokers' Helpline. York Region Tobacco-Free Living services offer free consultation and workplace support to help employers review their options along with a step-by-step easy to follow guide: Good Business….better health. Download your own copy and get started today.

For additional resources to support healthy workplaces, contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (TTY 1-866-252-9933).

Be aware – it is September!

September is Men's Cancer Health Awareness Month

Ontario men are most frequently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Colon and lung cancer are the next most common. Prevention and screening play a key role in decreasing the risk of cancer. There is no single cause of cancer but there are factors that may increase the risk of developing it.

Research shows at least 50 per cent of cancers can be prevented simply by making these healthy choices:

• Be tobacco-free, don't smoke or chew tobacco. Smoking is related to many types of cancer and non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke are also at higher risk of developing cancer
• Eat healthy
  • Seven to ten servings of vegetables and fruit per day
  • A diet low in saturated fat
  • Choose a variety of high fibre foods to help keep your digestive system healthy and regular
• Avoid or limit your alcohol consumption. Men should have less than two drinks per day
• Exercise at least two and a half hours per week. Focus on activities you enjoy that increase your heart rate, broken into sessions of 10 minutes or more
• Maintain a healthy body weight. Too many inches around your waist can increase your risk of cancer
• Protect your skin from the sun. All skin types are at risk for developing skin cancer. Cover up, seek shade and use sunscreen, especially between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Get screened! Be aware of the provincial colon cancer screening program. Colon cancer is 90 per cent curable when found early
• Be informed about other cancers such as prostate, lung, testicular and skin cancers. The decision to be tested for any cancer should be made after a discussion with your health care provider including the benefits, risks of testing and your family history

Making improvements to your everyday life and participating in cancer screening will lead to better health.

For more information on cancer prevention and screening call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (TTY 1-866-252-9933) or visit www.york.ca/cancerscreening

Healthy Workplace Month

October is healthy workplace month!

Are you looking for workplace health resources to develop your wellness program? Free online resources are at your fingertips. Visit these websites and build your healthy workplace:

• www.healthyworkplacemonth.ca
• www.york.ca/workplacewellness
• www.ccohs.ca/healthyworkplaces
• www.ccohs.ca/products/webinars/
• www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/occup-travail/work-travail/index-eng.php
• www.iapa.ca/Main/Resources/resources_downloads.aspx
• www.wmhp.cmhaontario.ca

For more information, please contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (TTY 1-866-252-9933).

Your kids and their screen time – help them take a break!

Taking a break from screens (computer, television, video and hand held devices) can be a challenge. A 2010 research study showed children's media use is almost three hours lower per day when parents set any type of rule around use!

Sedentary behaviour is when you are moving very little. This includes sitting for long periods, watching television, and playing video games. According to Statistics Canada 2011:

• Boys and girls are sedentary over eight hours a day
• This puts children at risk for preventable health problems including Type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease

The Canadian Sports and Exercise Physiology guidelines recommend limiting recreational screen time for children and youth age 5- 17 to less than two hours per day.

Tips for parents:

• Start talking with your kids at an early age about screen time limits and stay committed to what you agree to
• Consider a no/less TV, or gaming rule during the school week, and at meal times
• Watch for signs of excessive gaming, watching T.V., texting and using the internet
• Life is busy and it's hard to get quality time with your kids. Look for times of the day when your family can do something active together
• Safety is always important — make sure kids always wear the proper safety gear

Additional tips can be found at:
www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/index.cfm
www.csep.ca/english/view.asp?x=804

For more information, please contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (TTY 1-866-252-9933) or visit www.york.ca/healthyschools

Parenting can be a challenge...

The Nobody's Perfect Parenting program is designed to increase positive parenting practices and provide support to families with children aged one to five.

This program is offered to parents, grandparents, nannies and other caregivers by twelve community agencies within York Region.

Free childcare is provided. There is no direct cost to participants.

For more information, please visit www.york.ca/parenting and click on "Nobody's Perfect", or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 (TTY 1-866-252-9933).

Changing to serve you better!

We will be sending our Workplace Wellness information exclusively through our e-bulletin format.

This e-bulletin format will combine articles, events, and other workplace wellness information from our newsletter and e-bulletin into one convenient email format for you.

What does this mean for you?
E-bulletin subscribers will continue to receive all of our Workplace Wellness information just as they do now. E-newsletter only subscribers will automatically receive e-bulletins with the option to unsubscribe.

We welcome your comments and suggestions at workplace.wellness@york.ca. This newsletter may be reproduced in whole or in part with acknowledgement of the source: York Region Community and Health Services.  

Disclaimer: No liability can be accepted for any advice rendered in this publication or on the websites. The information presented is not intended as a substitution for consultation with a health professional or expert. Please note that information in the newsletter should be considered current only at the date of issue.
 

For more information on the Workplace Wellness Newsletter,
contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933