Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
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J. Occup. Environ. Med. · Dec 2004
Terrorism preparedness training for occupational health professionals.
The objective of this study was to assess occupational health professionals' terrorism preparedness and perceptions of worksite readiness. ⋯ Relatively brief training in terrorism preparedness can increase the confidence of occupational health professionals in their ability to respond to terrorism. Adequate preparedness for the broad range of potential terrorist events may require much more intensive training than is currently being provided to occupational health professionals.
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J. Occup. Environ. Med. · Dec 2004
Comparative StudyHealth and performance factors in health care shift workers.
To assess the impact of shift work on health care workers. ⋯ Findings suggest an association with night shift health care workers and adverse health and performance markers. A "higher-risk" subgroup may benefit from targeted interventions to reduce potential adverse effects from shift work and improve health care delivery.
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J. Occup. Environ. Med. · May 2004
Relationship of body mass index and physical activity to health care costs among employees.
This study examined the relationship between physical activity and health care costs by different weight groups. The study sample consisted of 23,490 active employees grouped into normal weight, overweight, and obese categories. ⋯ The maximum possible savings was estimated to be 1.5% of the total health care costs if all obese sedentary employees would adapt a physically active lifestyle. As a strategy to control escalating health care costs, wellness programs should facilitate engagement in moderate physical activity of at least 1 to 2 times a week among sedentary obese people and help them to maintain this more active lifestyle.)
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Our objective was to study the effects of welding fumes and their duration of exposure on lung function. This was a matched case-control cross-sectional study of spirometry in 50 nonsmoking manual metal arc welders who work without the benefit of welding fume control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. ⋯ This effect primarily shows an obstructive pattern of airways disease. Preventive measures in developing countries have to be adopted to avert long-term lung damage in welders.