Living On WELL Street

Working moms are healthier, happier, study finds

Dec 12, 2011 | 1:00 PM ET | by MyHealthNewsDaily.com, staff

“Mothers who have jobs are healthier than those who are not employed, at least when their children are very young, a new study finds.  Working mothers in the study were less depressed and reported better overall health than moms who stayed at home with their young children, though this benefit of working did not extend into children's school years.”

Comment:  I don’t know that this comes as a surprise to anyone, least of all to moms who experience emotional and social isolation when they are home for long hours without adult interaction.

Fewer Americans get health insurance through job

December 12, 2011.  By Emily Berry

Employer-sponsored coverage is growing more expensive and covering less.

“Findings by the Commonwealth Fund and polling by Gallup show that fewer workers are getting health insurance, and those who have it are paying more for less.  Polling released in November by Gallup showed the smallest percentage of American adults covered by employer-sponsored health insurance since the polling organization began tracking health insurance in 2008. As of the third quarter of 2011, 44.5% of adults were covered at work. That's down from 50% at the end of 2008.”

Comment:  That’s more than a 10% decline in 3 years. Employer-provided health insurance is going the way of employer pension programs.

U.S. Health Habits Continue Sharp Winter Decline

December 8, 2011.  By Elizabeth Mendes

Americans' exercise and eating habits worse last month than in same month last year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – “As is typical during the winter season, Americans report exercising less. The percentage of adults who reported exercising frequently -- for at least 30 minutes three or more days per week -- fell to 49.8% in November, from 52.2% in October and from the year's high of 54.5% in July. Fewer Americans exercised frequently last month than did in November of last year (50.5%).”

Comment:  If only a pill could provide all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. A liquid soft gel that made you look better, feel better, live longer and helped you save money would be devoured by the masses. Individual lives and society would be transformed. The reality is that it’s not available in pill form. You have to put in the physical effort for 30 minutes on most days. Who has time for that?

Live WELL!

M. J.