Following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Centene switched its investor day to a virtual format and several health insurers, including UnitedHealth Group, removed executive photos from their websites. Medica closed its main campus in Minnesota. Full Story: CNBC (12/6)
As baby boomers retire, millennials and Generation Z are reshaping workplace safety expectations, prioritizing mental and emotional well-being alongside physical safety, writes Stephen Daigneault. These younger workers value environments where psychological safety is emphasized, allowing them to speak up without fear of retribution, and organizations must adapt to these needs to manage, engage and protect the new workforce effectively. Full Story: Occupational Health & Safety (12/2)
A study in Nutrition & Diabetes found people with prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes who consumed 45% or more of their daily calories after 5 p.m. had higher glucose concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test, independent of body weight and diet composition. Full Story: Medical Dialogues (12/5)
Benefits & Compensation
Employers anticipate rising health costs, policy shifts Employers are preparing for significant challenges in 2025, including rising health care costs, the need for increased vendor accountability and potential policy changes stemming from the 2024 election, according to the Business Group on Health. Health care costs are projected to rise more than they have in a decade, prompting employers to reevaluate partnerships and explore alternative cost management strategies. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (12/8)
Lone wolves in the workplace can hinder innovation and create resentment, but leaders can encourage a team-oriented mindset by defining clear goals and behaviors, negotiating new agreements, measuring key performance indicators and recognizing success, writes leadership consultant Michael Timms. Regular one-on-one meetings and enforcing consequences for noncooperation are also crucial for fostering a cohesive team culture, Timms writes. Full Story: Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (12/6)
Controversy hovers over Illinois' decision to redesign the state flag that has been in place since 1915. When Illinois gained statehood in 1818, how many states were in the US?
To improve my sleep health, I’ve been trying to eat my meals during daylight hours and avoid eating anything just before going to bed. Eating late keeps my body from shutting down -- because it’s trying to digest food -- and I wind up with restless, choppy sleep. Turns out eating late is also connected to poor glucose metabolism in folks who are prediabetic or have (or are at risk for) early type 2 diabetes, according to our Health & Wellness story today. This means that their bodies do not process sugar properly, which can lead to a number of serious health issues, including elevated blood sugar levels. Researchers from Columbia University found that those consuming 45% or more of their daily calories after 5 pm exhibited higher glucose levels during tolerance tests. I love a pre-bed snack, but now that I know how it’s affecting my sleep and putting me at risk for other health issues, I’m skipping it. And it’s getting easier to do that. I like the way I feel when I wake up refreshed with a clear head. Do you enjoy this brief? Share it with others. Want different stories? Something about it bug you? Tell me. In the words of Frasier Crane, “I’m listening.”
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