The headlines this summer emphasized the negative: Almost half of employers aren’t ready for the legalization of recreational marijuana when it takes effect next year. That’s hardly a surprise. What is somewhat surprising is the fact that, according to a survey conducted by the Human Resources Professionals Association, 54 per cent of the members who […]
At Benefits Canada’s 2017 Healthy Outcomes conference in June, insurers, providers and plan sponsors discussed how to promote healthy behaviours and reduce chronic disease while also containing costs. Read on for coverage of the 2017 Health Outcomes conference: Prediabetes among biggest concerns for employee health Low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy touted as alternative to address […]
With four out of five Canadians having at least one modifiable risk for a chronic disease, organizations need to place the same importance and resources on improving employee health as they do on ensuring safety, a speaker told Benefits Canada’s Healthy Outcomes conference in June. “Over the past 100 years, vaccines, clean running water and […]
Should antidepressants be the first course of treatment for mild to moderate depression? Not necessarily, said Peter Gove, innovation leader for health management at Green Shield Canada, during the 2017 Healthy Outcomes conference in June. “Everyone experiences sadness from time to time. It’s normal,” he said. “Sadness is often a temporary reaction to difficult life […]
With mental-health issues reaching crisis levels in Canadian workplaces, employers have options to address the situation as a driver of claims and absences, participants at Benefits Canada’s Healthy Outcomes conference heard. “There is a mental-health crisis in our workplaces,” said Judith Plotkin, vice-president of growth and strategy at the ReedGroup. “This week alone, 500,000 Canadians […]
Amidst all of the innovation that’s occurring in the drug industry, pharmacists have a role to play in helping employers navigate the changes, a speaker told participants at the Healthy Outcomes conference in June. “We can expect new medications to come onto the market in the next few years,” said Mark Rolnick, vice-president of payor […]
While Canada is facing the health implications of an aging population, younger people are a significant concern as well. “For the first time, three out of five Canadians will have a chronic disease profile by age 20,” Eileen Dooley, chief executive officer of HealthPartners Canada, told participants at the Healthy Outcomes conference in June. “We […]
During the Healthy Outcomes conference in June, a panel of health and wellness leaders discussed some of the small steps their organizations are taking to achieve a healthier workforce. Speaking on the panel, Lyne Moussa, manager of wellness, safety and disability at Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, emphasized that it’s essential to align health and […]
During the Healthy Outcomes conference in June, participants discussed ways to better understand the impact of drug plan offerings on employee health. Four groups of conference participants — moderated by Joe Farago, executive director of health-care innovation at Innovative Medicines Canada; Kirsten Garces, senior manager for value and access at Amgen Canada Inc.; Carmen Hogan, […]
With employers already facing enough cost pressures around their benefits plans, adding additional coverage for paramedical services may be a daunting prospect. But with employees often looking for coverage for a broader range of services, is athletic therapy worth considering? The Canadian Athletic Therapists Association, in fact, helpfully provides employees with a sample letter on […]