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Volume 1• Issue 6January – March 2013

These days, sitting for long hours at a desk or in the offi ce has been linked to health concerns such as obesity, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels. Thus, implementing wellness programs in the workplace has become increasingly important in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), companies with comprehensive workplace wellness programs generally reduce the likelihood of employee heart attacks and strokes, which are the leading causes of death in the US. In addition, CDC analyses have shown a 28% average reduction in sick leave absenteeism, a 26% reduction in healthcare costs, and a 30% decrease in workers’ compensation and disability management claims costs. Also, it is important to note that health programs can improve productivity, increase employee satisfaction, and boost morale in the workplace.

“Workplace wellness has been expanded over the past decade to encompass the overall creation of a ‘culture of health’ within the worksite,” wrote Thomas DeVries, author of Innovations in Workplace Wellness. And one of the ways in forming dynamic and sustainable health programs at work is through the ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS of the employees.

Although daily exercise, proper diet and sleep, and a healthy lifestyle are truly essential, physicians can use a yearly physical exam to determine some symptoms that could lead to a serious illness. Through this exam, diseases are caught in the early stages, when they can still be treated successfully.

“An annual physical examination is useful for both detection and prevention of diseases, says Geraldine Ortiz, a Family Medicine doctor and nutritionist. In cases when symptoms are not apparent, a screening or

References:- (1) DeVries, George Thomas III. (2010). Innovations in Workplace Wellness: Six

New Tools to Enhance Programs and Maximize Employee Health and Productivity. Compensation & Benefi ts Review 2010 42:46.

- http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/annual-physical-examinations- http://www.ehow.com/info_8036891_employees-should-annual-physicals.html- http://www.cdc.gov/features/workingwellness/- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_wellness- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sitting/AN02082

blood test, or an x-ray can reveal certain health problems. A high blood sugar level can signal the onset of diabetes, and thus, proper diet can be recommended. And for a patient who has high blood pressure, a doctor recommends weight loss, reduced sodium intake, and quitting smoking to avoid a possible heart attack.

During the physical exam, a doctor usually asks the patient’s family history, checks and notes the vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and temperature. As he uses a stethoscope to listen to the patient’s heartbeat, he might detect a heart murmur, irregular heartbeat or other signs of heart disease. He may also listen for crackles, wheezes or decreased breath sounds that may indicate a lung disease. Head and neck, abdomen, extremities are also examined to check for any abnormalities.

In addition, annual physical exams can help determine whether or not employees are still physically fi t and capable of performing job responsibilities that their bodies can handle. Age-associated physical limitations can create a risk of injury in the workplace.

Also, being able to identify health problems early can decrease the cost of medical care. Preventive measures are less expensive than major operations or medical procedures.

Indeed, an annual physical examination is important and in the end, if employees are healthy and happy, business executives and managers can surely expect effi ciency and productivity at work.

RX FOR A HEALTHY & PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE:RX FOR A HEALTHY & PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE:

ANNUAL PHYSICALANNUAL PHYSICALEXAMINATIONSEXAMINATIONS

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ActiveOne Health, Inc.Unit 703 7th Floor SEDCCO I BuildingRada corner Legazpi StreetsLegaspi Village Makati City 1229 PhilippinesTel: (+632) 893.2925 / 817.7372

(+632) 856.7939 to 40www.activeonehealth.com

Editorial board:

Tony S. CastilloE. Martin MillsCarlo M. Saul, MD, RPhBryant V. Sanchez

Contributors:Glecy GamboaConnie Luayon

2 • Letter from the Managing Director

3 • Shift work and changing landscape of the Philippine workforce

4 • Strike Out Infl uenza: The 2013 ActiveOne

Health, Inc. Flu Vaccination Campaign

5 • Strike Out Infl uenza: The 2013 ActiveOne

Health, Inc. Flu Vaccination Campaign

6 • Laughter Yoga - the new alternative stress buster

• Stem Cell Therapy – what’s the fuss all about?

7 • Lifestyle Diseases and Dyslipidemia: a Deadly Combination

8 • Fire Safety and Burn Injury Prevention Tips

Letter from thePresident and COO

Dear Valued Partners,

Welcome to our latest issue of ActiveOne Health, Inc. Wellness Journal!

As a brand new year begins, it is the best time for us to jump startin taking care and improving our health. Year 2013 offers great opportunities for everyone including fresh and innovative methods of achieving good health. One way of ensuring that our health is in optimum state is through annual physical examinations. This issue will discuss the current outlooks regarding the role and importance of annual physical examinations in workforce wellness and in shaping wellness programs.

We also included more in depth discussion of today’s breakthrough and trending topics: Laughter Yoga and Stem Cell Therapy.In this edition, interesting issues that greatly affect employees which include Shiftwork, Lifestyle Diseases and Dyslipidemia will also be discussed.

Moreover, we have a new column - OSH Page which will provide helpful tips and easy to do’s for everyone. For this issue, basic Fire Safety and Burn Injury Prevention Tips are given.

Finally, werelease this year’s Infl uenza Vaccination Campaign – Strike Out Infl uenza as part of our preparations for the upcoming fl u season.

Hoping that this issue will provide you information and tips that you can use and share with others. Have a great and healthy year ahead!

Tony S. CastilloPresident and COOActiveOne Health, Inc.

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Shift work is not entirely new in the Philippines. Before the entry of the BPO industry in the country, establishments such as hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, entertainment businesses, security agencies, transport establishments and health care industries have already begun employing shift workers. When the BPO industry boomed at the start of the century, shift work in the Philippines became more associated with contact

a woman shift worker’s risk of getting breast cancer. According to the Rotating Night Shifts and Risk of Breast Cancer in Women

Participating in the Nurses’ Health Study, there is elevated risk of breast cancer for nurses who work for many years as shift workers.In December 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization placed shift work as “probably carcinogenic to humans”. While there is limited evidence of cancer risk among humans, the research 10-year research provides suffi cient evidence of cancer risk in experimental animals.

Meal patterns and dietary intake are also major concerns among contact center employees. Because of the limited availability of nutritious and fresh foods at night, workers often resort to fast food diet that is normally high in saturated fats. Poor diet, inadequate sleep, inadequate exercise and other unhealthy habits are factors that increase a person’s risk of developing certain diseases later in life.

While the rising demand for shift work, especially in the BPO industry, is expected to improve the local economy, it also brings about several concerns about the health and wellbeing of shift workers. These health issues in turn are likely to affect the productivity of the BPO companies and the Philippine economy. Several private companies are now adopting health programs for their employees to improve their welfare.

Sources and References:- Shift work research in the Philippines: current state and future directions http://

www.philsciletters.org/pdf/2012n1.4p4.pdf (2012)- Shift work in the Philippines in the cyber age (March 8, 2012 / Philippine Star)

http://philshift.upm.edu.ph/?q=node/13- Sleepless in PHL: More Pinoys work the graveyard shift. SIEGFRID ALEGADO,

GMA News April 4, 2013 http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/302384/news/nation/sleepless-in-phl-more-pinoys-work-the-graveyard-shift

- Shift work is classifi ed as Class 2A carcinogen by the WHO http://iohsad.org/12/10/women/shift-work-classifi ed-class-2a-carcinogen-who

SHIFT WORK AND SHIFT WORK AND CHANGING LANDSCAPE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF THE PHILIPPINE OF THE PHILIPPINE WORKFORCEWORKFORCEcenter or call center employees than with factory or hospital workers. These employees became the new group of shift workers that answers to the demands of the information age.

Another group that now does shift work is the home-based freelance workers who provide services to offshore clients. While these freelancers are not necessarily required to work the graveyard shift, they are prompted to respond to client requests and deliver the services in the client’s time zone. Thus, many of them work the night hours to cater to customers who are primarily based in North America.Many Filipinos choose to do shift work because of the opportunity to earn higher income. Those who work the graveyard shift are given night differentials. Home-based workers who perform jobs on the Internet typically receive U.S. dollars as compensation.

Shift work, however, may take a toll on one’s health. The graveyard shift, for example, is believed to disrupt a person’s circadian rhythm (normal body clock) and cause sleep disorders and other related illnesses. In a 2012 study published by the PhilSHIFT Research Group based in the University of the Philippines, it was mentioned that shift workers would often complain of musculoskeletal disorders involving the neck, upper back, lower back, right shoulder, upper right arm, hand and wrist. Those who work in contact centers have health complaints concerning the eyes, cough, voice disorders and insomnia.

Night work is also believed to be carcinogenic. A 2001 study done on nurses in the United States showed how night work increases

As the country sees an increase in BPO investments and the availability of home-based jobs servicing overseas clients, more Filipinos are expected to work in different shifts, many of them choosing to work at night or in different shifts

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During a laughter yoga session, participants simulate laughter as a body exercise, and with eye contact and childlike playfulness, it soon turns into real and contagious laughter. Whether it is fake or real, one obtains the same physiological and psychological benefi ts from laughter.

Laughter yoga begins with warm-up techniques such as stretching, chanting, clapping and body movements. These help participants become more spontaneous and develop feelings of ‘childlike playfulness’. Deep breathing exercises bring in more oxygen to the body and brain, and also prepare the lungs for a series of laughter exercises. Each session can last up to 20-30 minutes, from self-conscious giggles to uninhibited belly laughs.

Research studies conducted at the University of Graz in Austria, Bangalore, India and in the United States have proved that laughter lowers the level of stress hormones that constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity. As a result, a positive and hopeful attitude is fostered among the participants, who know how to laugh away their problems. In addition, enhanced work productivity and substantial decrease in stress level were observed after only three weeks of laughter yoga sessions.

Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California also studied the effects of laughing. It lowers blood pressure, increases muscle fl exion, and boosts the immune system by raising the levels of infection-fi ghting T-cells and disease-fi ghting antibodies. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, are also released, thus producing a general sense of well-being.

“Laughter is a gift that has been given to us to make us feel better,” says Barb Fisher, a certifi ed laughter yoga leader from the University of Maryland. It is natural, and there are no side effects, or allergies. And best of all, it is for free!

References:- www.laughteryoga.org- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2762283/ Laughter prescription,

by William B. Strean, Ph.D.- www.sciencedaily.com

Laughter Yoga -the new alternative

stress busterDeadlines, traffi c, confl icts at work, family problems, fi nancial setbacks or an incurable illness…they all have one thing in common – they spell s-t-r-e-s-s.

Too much stress may leave us feeling rejected or depressed. Studies reveal that stress can result in some serious health problems like heart disease or stroke. Thus, it is very important to learn how to reduce or manage stress.

Oftentimes, coping with stress is a matter of attitude and perspective. When problems arise, think positive. Accept failures, frustrations and sorrows. Unburden your concerns to family and friends. Talk and laugh with them. “Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain,” says the famous Charlie Chaplin. Of course, included in the list are eating

nutritious, well-balanced meals; getting enough sleep; learning to relax; and regular exercise.

One of the programs that recently gained popularity is laughter yoga, which was developed by an Indian physician, Dr. Madan Kataria. Now, it has become a global phenomenon with several laughter clubs in different countries.

Diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, heart disease or spinal cord injuries have been subjects of intense medical research for the past decades. With regenerative medicine, there is a glimpse of hope in treating these diseases.

“Regenerative medicine seeks to reverse the course of a disease by targeting its cause and repairing diseased or defective tissues or organs,” said Dr. Robin Smith, President of The Stem for Life Foundation. It also seeks to “fi nd new ways to boost the body’s ability to heal itself.”

Regenerative medicine utilizes biomedical approaches and clinical therapies that make use of stem cells. These cells can divide and differentiate into different cell types and can self-renew to produce more stem cells.

Medical researchers conduct stem cell studies to help them understand how diseases occur, and in order to generate healthy cells that could replace diseased or damaged tissues. Because of their properties, new stem cells can be used in transplant and regenerative medicine, or for testing the safety and quality of new drugs. For instance, nerve cells could be produced in vitro or in a test tube or petri dish, to test a new drug for a nerve disease. The two main types of stem cells are embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells come from three to fi ve days old embryos, called a blastocyst. They are pluripotent because they can divide into more stem cells or can differentiate into specialized cells such as blood cells, brain

cells, heart muscle, or bone. On the other hand, adult stem cells can only give rise to specifi c cells in the body, and their key function is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Adult stem cells come from umbilical cords, placentas, amniotic fl uid and body tissues.

Embryonic stem cells seem to have an enormous potential for repairing damaged body parts. However, some clinical studies show that they could cause immune system rejection, or tumor formation. But the fundamental issue lies in the source of these cells; using human embryonic stem cells would mean destroying a developing human life. Embryonic stem cell therapy is controversial because it makes use of an embryo as a tool for medical research, and this is ethically unacceptable.

But here’s the good news, Dr. John Gurdon, 2012 Nobel Prize Winner for Physiology or Medicine, was able to genetically transform specialized adult stem cells into stem cells. With this, researchers can reprogram the cells to have the same mechanism of action as embryonic stem cells. This type of cell is called an induced pluripotent stem cell, which could be a better alternative to embryonic stem cells. And if trials prove successful, they could also differentiate into all types of human cells, and thus, provide more promising possibilities for the cure of certain diseases.

Stem Cell Therapy– what’s the fuss all about?

References:http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stem-cells/CA00081http://www.stemcellresearchfacts.org/adult-stem-cell-overview/http://www.mercatornet.com/backgrounders/view/stem_cell_researchhttp://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics4.aspx

Talk to your HR or Clinic today for more information.

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Sources and references:• Porter, Robert ed. (2009) The Merck Manual: Home Health Handbook – Second Edition. Merck

• Christine Laine, MD, MPH; David R. Goldman, MD; Laurie Kopin, MS, ANP; and Thomas Pearson, MD, PhD. Dyslipidemia. Annals of Internal Medicine. 4 September 2007;147(5):ITC9-1 http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=659266&issueno=5

• ‘Lifestyle’ diseases the world’s biggest killer http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-04-28/lifestyle-diseases-the-worlds-biggest-killer/2695712

Lifestyle DiseasesLifestyle Diseasesand Dyslipidemia:and Dyslipidemia:

A DEADLYA DEADLY COMBINATIONCOMBINATION

on the walls of your coronary arteries, which enlarges the fatty deposits that are already there. Thus, if you have dyslipidemia, you are at risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.

Factors that increase the risk of dyslipidemia include the following:• Having close relatives who had had dyslipidemia (having a family

history of the disorder)• Being overweight• Consuming a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol• Being physically inactive• Consuming large amounts of alcohol

TREATMENT AND PREVENTIONDiet and lifestyle modifi cation can effectively treat or prevent dyslipidemia and decrease the risk for heart diseases. The following are recommended:

Switch to a low-fat diet. A diet low in fats and cholesterol can lower the LDL cholesterol level. Calorie intake from fat should be no more than 25 to 35% of the total calories consumed over several days. Consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as they contain more nutrients and less oil.

Load up on fi ber. Foods rich in soluble fi ber can bring down cholesterol levels. Soluble fi ber binds fats in the intestine and fl ushes them out of your system with the help of suffi cient fl uid intake. Fiber-rich foods include oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley, citrus fruits, strawberries, and apple pulp.

Exercise. Regular physical activity can help lower the LDL cholesterol level and increase the HDL cholesterol level. An example is walking briskly for 30 to 45 minutes 3 to 4 times a week. Regular exercise combined with low-fat diet will also help you maintain an ideal weight.

Stop smoking. Tobacco consumption can increase your risk of having cardiovascular problems and cancers. Stop smoking and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.

In certain cases, patients with dyslipidemia are prescribed a lipid-lowering drug.

• High blood cholesterol levels: Causes, incidence and risk factors (PubMedHealth) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001440/

• Management of Dyslipidemia in Adults. SYED M. AHMED, M.D., M.P.H., DR.P.H., MARK E. CLASEN, M.D., PH.D., and JOHN F. DONNELLY, M.D., Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio. American Family Physician. 1998 May 1;57(9):2192-2204. http://www.aafp.org/afp/1998/0501/p2192.html

• Health Matters: Reducing the risks of ‘lifestyle’ diseases http://worldradio.ch/wrs/programmes/health/health-matters-reducing-the-risks-of-lifestyle-dis.shtml?24328

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the following are the four (4) identifi ed groups of lifestyle diseases: diabetes, cancers, chronic lung diseases, and heart diseases and strokes. Diet and lifestyle are major factors that infl uence a person’s risk for these diseases. Cigarette smoking, drug abuse, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise increase the chances of developing certain diseases later in life.

DYSLIPIDEMIA AND HEART DISEASEDyslipidemia is having abnormal levels of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, or both) in the blood. As people begin to eat more meat and dairy products, their bodies store more unhealthy fats. Having a high total cholesterol level increases the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Many people tend to be unaware of their own cholesterol levels. When you eat foods that contain any kind of fat, that fat is digested and transported through your blood to every cell in your body. Unfortunately, fat doesn’t dissolve in blood. Some fat is transported in your blood in the form called “triglycerides.” The rest is conveyed via one of three different types of fat-carrying molecules called “lipoproteins”— fats in the form of blood cholesterol. Lipoproteins are composed of fat (lipid) encased in protein and other fats.

Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are the so-called “bad” cholesterol. If you have too many of them in your blood, they start depositing cholesterol

Lifestyle diseases refer to conditions that are attributed to dramatic shifts in the way humans live. The change is often a result of advancement in society such as industrialization or scientifi c progress. In Western countries and in other nations with emerging economies, lifestyle diseases appear to increase in frequency. Just recently, these lifestyle diseases were reported by the Australian Broadcasting Company to be the leading cause of deaths all over the world.

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Whether you are with your family at home, or doing some business in the offi ce, safety should always be a primary concern. Everyone knows that fi re can have devastating effects such as loss of properties and jobs, injury, and worst still, death of people.

Heat and smoke from fi re can be very hazardous, and inhaling extremely hot air can severely damage one’s lungs. And most fi re deaths are caused by asphyxiation, which exceeds burns by a three-to-one ratio.

But with some preparation, common sense and prudence, fi re and burn injury can be prevented. Here are some tips that can be very useful and benefi cial to everyone.

For fi re safety at home, try to observe these precautions:

• Do not leave food unattended on a stove and avoid putting fl ammable objects in the cooking area.

• Never empty smoldering ashes in a trashcan; ashtrays and candles have to be kept away from upholstered furniture and curtains, which can easily catch fi re.

• Keep all matches and lighters out of children’s reach. • Install smoke alarms and make sure that they work

properly.

To prevent fi re and burn injury in the workplace, practice the following measures:

• Don’t overload electrical outlets. Turn off and unplug electrical appliances at the end of each day.

• Make sure that electrical appliances don’t have loose cords. Replace damaged cords.

• Clear the work area of trash, waste paper or any items that can easily catch fi re. Clutter may prevent access to emergency exits and equipment.

• Maintain machines to prevent overheating and sparks caused by friction.

• Always report electrical hazards. Most fi res are caused by faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Only those who are qualifi ed and authorized must do some electrical repairs.

• Shut down power in an emergency situation. Remember to keep all electrical control panels free of any clutter.

• Learn how to use a fi re extinguisher properly. • Take fi re drills seriously so that you know what to do

in case of real fi re. Its objective is to save lives and properties.

In all cases, the safety of residents and workers is always a priority. And always keep in mind the three keys to safety - PREPARATION, PREVENTION AND PRUDENCE.

References:http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/fi re-prevention/fi reprevention.htmhttp://fi resafetyforall.com/2011/02/fi re-safety-tips-for-your-workplace/http://www.safetyxchange.org/health-safety/12-fi re-prevention-tips-for-workershttp://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fi re_prev/

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