Wellness & Well-being Highlights
for the
Week of September 4, 2023
This week’s edition of our Worker Wellness & Well-being blog consists of topics on a resurgence of miners’ Black Lung to how COVID may now be making a comeback to how a new study revealed that young, amateur athletes are posthumously being diagnosed with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Today, I wish to shed some light on how you can help confront this nation’s opioid epidemic. NOTE: This coming week, Narcan will be available as an OTC (over-the-counter) drug in most pharmacies for about $45 per 2-pack. As noted below, a local library district is now providing free Narcan to the public. This is known as a harm reduction strategy. The fact is that you cannot save a dead person but you can help save one who is experiencing an opioid overdose. How? Know the signs, get trained (this takes less than 30 minutes), obtain doses of the free Narcan now available, and be prepared to act when necessary. The vast majority of us know someone close who either has OUD (opioid use disorder) or has died from an opioids overdose. Make no mistake, OUD is considered a disease…no different than diabetes or hypertension. Now is the time to act! Please insist that your workplace, place of worship, sport venue, etc. carry Narcan next to its First Aid kit and AED.
Preventing Post-Vacation Burnout
Stress/Anxiety Relief Products
Using unlicensed school counselors
More funding to fight opioid epidemic
Will marijuana become a downgraded drug?
Air pollution & Shorter lifespans
New COVID variant for Fall 2023
Is this a new COVID mini-wave?
Pandemic distrust is eroding healthcare
Is diabetes drug curbing other cravings?
SLU Hospital Nurses set to strike
Labor shortages across the board
Female surgeons getting better results
Child care prices continue to rise
ILO Youth: Seizing a brighter future
On new NFL helmets & Concussions
Football coach confronts a terrible truth
Upcoming webinars, etc.:
OSHA Sept 2023 Suicide Prevention Stand Down
NOTE: The links provided above are for informational purposes only. None of these serve as a substitute for medical advice one should obtain from his/her own primary care physician and/or mental health professional. Please contact johngaal@moaflcio.org with related questions or comments.