news
22 Mar 2010 - 15:11: Global Alert - January 2010
GLOBAL
Global EAP and Wellbeing - Your Questions Answered
Do Employee Assistance Programmes work on a global basis? How should wellbeing programmes be promoted in different markets? What are the key areas of focus in different countries?
With over 35 years experience of delivering and promoting EAP and Health and Wellbeing Programmes, PPC has the data and knowledge to answer these questions. So if there's anything you need to know about any of these areas, please email enquiries@ppcworldwide.com with your contact details and we'll get back to you.
New Ideas for Raising Money for Medical Care
The Economist reports that the funding streams for global healthcare are becoming less and less reliant on national governments, with the percentage of 'non-traditional funding' increasing greatly. This comes from aid organisations and bodies such as the UN as well as from private sources such as multi-nationals. This mirrors PPC's research across the globe, where more and more responsibility for mental health provision is shifting from state run facilities and being placed on organisations.
For the full article from The Economist, click here.
Financial Crisis is Also a Crisis of Values - World Economic Forum
Over two-thirds of people believe the current economic crisis is also a crisis of ethics and values. But only 50% think universal values exist. These are among the findings of the World Economic Forum's Faith and the Global Agenda: Values for the Post-Crisis Economy, an annual report on issues related to the role of faith in global affairs.
The report contains a unique new public opinion poll on values conducted through Facebook. The poll reached over 130,000 respondents in France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey and the United States.
The poll results point to a trust deficit regarding values in the business world. Only one-quarter of respondents believe that large, multinational businesses apply a values-driven approach to their sectors, while over 40% believe that small and medium-sized businesses apply such an approach. To view the full report, click here.
United Nations - Lifestyle Change Key to Improving Health
At their annual meeting, UN World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan told the agency' Executive Board that lifestyle change remains the key challenge to improving global health. Click here for further information.
Who pays the most for Prescription drugs?
According to The Economist, consumers in the US (not surprisingly) and Brazil (somewhat surprisingly) pay the most for branded and generic drugs. For the full article, click here.
EUROPE
France - Population Continues to Age
According to the respected French newspaper Le Monde the percentage of the population aged over 60 continues to grow, up to 22.6% from 20.4% in 2000. This is due to the increase in life expectancy, a French girl born in 2009 can expect to reach 84.5 years of age. The French Government has announced a policy review to look at new sources of funding this aging population. Click here for further information.
Switzerland - Swiss Coped Well with Crisis says OECD, but Better Training Needed
For further information, click here.
UK - Staff Absence Reaches 15% as Snow Hits
For further information, click here[External Link]
NORTH AMERICA
US - HEALTHCARE REFORM LASTEST: Light At the End of the Tunnel?
Health care reform in the U.S. remains in the headlines, as negotiators from both the Democrat and Republican parties try to settle on differences between the House and Senate versions of [link="http://www.upi.com/topic/Healthcare_Reform/"]health reform. Related issues like the election defeat in Massachusetts to fill Edward Kennedy's Senate seat and the political toll that health reform has taken on President Obama, surround the complex issues that comprise the reform debate.
US - Dealing with Crises - The Role of Workplace Support
In her article for Human Resource Executive this month, Harmonizing Global Operations, Carol Harnett emphasized the importance of a humane and professional response to devastating highly visible crises like the disaster in Haiti, as well as less visible everyday employee needs that HR managers can address through strong workplace support services.
Canada - Canadians are Heavier than Ever
According to the Canadian Health Measures Survey carried out by Statistics Canada, the population is 'heavier, wider and weaker' than ever before. Between 1981 and 2009, the average weight of a 45-year-old Canadian man has ballooned by 20 pounds and his waist size swelled by almost three inches. 61 per cent of adults are considered to be overweight or obese. For the full article and links to the report, click here.
US - The Americanisation of Mental Illness
Ethan Watters wrote a thoughtful piece on The Americanization of Mental Illness in the New York Times on January 8th, where he makes the case that a disservice has been done in migrating a U.S.-centric, DSM IV-oriented, biomedical perspective that influences how mental disorders are expressed and defined in various cultures around the world. Although Mr. Watters' points are open to debate, we wholeheartedly concur with his emphasis that a culture-specific focus on health matters is essential.
ASIA-PACIFIC
China - Minor Health Concerns Worsen
More than 60 percent of all Beijingers are suffering from minor health concerns that can be treated through exercise and diet, a medical report revealed. For the full article, click here.
China - Centres to Offer Counselling Support
Following a spate of murders in the city of Dongcheng, the city has opened counselling centres in each city district, 'to help vulnerable people'. Click here for the full story.
India - Working Mums Face Stress
For further information, click here.
Pakistan - 40-45% of Drugs are 'Spurious'
For further information, click here.
Australia - Eye Test Could Help Diagnose Depression
For further information, click here.
South Korea - Country Aims to Boost Medical Tourism Market
For further information, click here.
REST OF THE WORLD
Haiti - Earthquake Triggers Health Crisis
For further information, click here.
Haiti – The Psychologicial Effects
For further information, click here.
South Africa - 3000 Doctors Await Pay
For further information, click here.
Argentina - Inflation Expected to Reach 30.7% This Year
For further information, click here.
Brazil - Job Market Improves
For further information, click here.