In the coming five years, Canadians can expect to see the next stage of awareness around mental health, according one health expert. “Where we need to build on awareness is what the illness actually looks like. There’s still quite a lack of knowledge out there and I believe that’s improving greatly every day,” said Chris Anderson, president of Medaca Health […]
Due to the elimination of the unfunded liability of Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s insurance fund, premium rates for employers will be reduced by almost 30 per cent. Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, the reduction will help employers save money, increase investment and create more jobs, resulting in a $1.45 billion injection into the Ontario economy, according […]
At Benefits Canada’s 2018 Healthy Outcomes conference in May, industry experts shared valuable insights and best practice tips for taking a tailored approach to employee wellness. Read on for coverage of the 2018 Healthy Outcomes conference: Leveraging teachable moments among tips for boosting wellness programs How HPV is causing more than just cervical cancer […]
It wouldn’t be reasonable to proceed with a blood transfusion without first confirming blood type, or order eyeglasses without first confirming the prescription. Why then, do so many organizations launch a workplace wellness program without first confirming the actual health risk areas applicable to their employee population, as well as the cost drivers to the benefits […]
One in every five Canadian suffers from some form of chronic pain, a condition that often — though not always —starts with an injury or illness and lasts more than three months or beyond the normal recovery period. With so many Canadians suffering from chronic pain, one would assume its treatment would be well understood in […]
Novus Health is partnering with iA Financial Group to provide employers with health and wellness tools for their plan members. “For many Canadians, health literacy remains a challenge: it can be overwhelming to navigate Canada’s complex health-care systems and understand their options,” said Novus Health in a press release. “What’s more, when searching online for answers to […]
The Great-West Life Assurance Co. has partnered with Morneau Shepell Ltd. to offer web-based cognitive behavioural therapy to plan members receiving disability benefits for a mental-health condition. The program became available on June 4 to employers in Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax, St. John’s and those cities’ surrounding areas, with plans expand the offering to the rest […]
Alongside its financial impact, extreme weather takes a toll on absenteeism, mental health and disability claims, according to a new study by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo. The research, funded by Manulife Financial Corp. and Intact Financial Corp., looked at homeowners in Burlington, Ont., after a storm in August 2014 left […]
SSQ Life Insurance Co. Inc. is partnering with genetic testing company BiogeniQ Inc. to offer some plan members suffering from depression the chance to undergo testing aimed at identifying the appropriate treatment. Following the testing, which will be available to some SSQ plan members on disability leave for depression, a physician will use the information to […]
Julie Holden is principal of a new workplace health consultancy, Holden & Associates. Since July 2014, she worked at SEB Benefits & HR Consulting Inc., most recently as a senior vice-president. Holden’s career has spanned a number of consulting firms in roles that include: absence and disability management leader, health and productivity leader and assistant vice-president of […]