AHIP Health@Work SmartBrief
Employers, workers differ on safety concerns, study says | Employers can alleviate staff stress with low-cost benefits | Solo agers: How to prepare for retirement alone
Created for np3kckdy@niepodam.pl | Web Version
 
November 19, 2025
 
 
AHIP Wellness SmartBrief
News to Improve Employee and Population HealthSIGN UP ⋅   SHARE
 
Top Story
 
Employers, workers differ on safety concerns, study says
 
Business partners working on the project in the office using laptop, sharing ideas in the business meeting.
(Nazar_ab/Getty Images)
Employers and employees have different perspectives on workplace safety, with workers more concerned about mental health, according to a report from Pie Insurance. Regarding the influence of artificial intelligence, 64% of employers say it will improve safety, while just 23% of employees agree.
Full Story: Insurance Journal (11/16)
share-text
 
 
 
 
Benefits Programs & Trends
 
Employers can alleviate staff stress with low-cost benefits
Employers can reduce employee stress and turnover by offering low-cost benefits such as flexible work hours, paid overtime and mental health days, a Resume.io survey says. The company's Amanda Augustine says employers should prioritize balance, stability and a sense of belonging in benefit design. A compressed, four-day work week is particularly attractive to Generation Z members, according to the survey.
Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (11/18)
share-text
 
Solo agers: How to prepare for retirement alone
Solo agers, or individuals aging without spouses or children, face unique challenges in retirement planning. Experts recommend that solo agers build a supportive community, formalize estate planning documents, and consider various housing options. Financial planning is crucial, as solo agers often manage expenses on a single income. Professional services such as fiduciaries and daily money managers can provide additional support.
Full Story: Kiplinger (11/18)
share-text
 
 
 
 
Best Business Practices
 
After meetings, be clear on who does what by when
Don't leave your team confused about who is doing what after a meeting ends, write Karin Hurt and David Dye, who recommend using the last five minutes of a meeting to clarify decisions and assign tasks, and then send an email afterward clearly outlining assignments, ownership and deadlines. "Don't leave ownership in the air. Document it, share it, and reference it next time," they write.
Full Story: Let's Grow Leaders (11/17)
share-text
 
 
 
 
Free eBooks and Resources
 
Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors
 
 
Nonverbal Communications Skills -- The 10 Skills You Need to Learn
 
 
70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)
 
 
Best Practices for Email Etiquette
 
 
11 Habits That Will Give You A Complete And Successful Life
 
 
Creating Positive Habits - The Ultimate Guide
 
 
 
 
Products and Market Trends
 
Medicare Part D shrinks amid Inflation Reduction Act
A Drug Channels analysis shows that Medicare's stand-alone Part D drug plan market is collapsing after the Inflation Reduction Act, with the number of plans falling 55% since 2023, preferred pharmacy networks disappearing and the majority of control being consolidated among just five insurers. The market contraction has led to significant disruption for beneficiaries, particularly those in rural areas, Medigap users and employer group waiver plans.
Full Story: Drug Channels (11/13)
share-text
 
Empathy as alpha: The enduring value of human advisors
Artificial intelligence is transforming wealth management by automating tasks such as portfolio building and client communications, but the human element remains indispensable. Financial advisors who excel in emotional intelligence and empathy build trust and deeper client relationships, addressing clients' real worries about financial security and family well-being. Advisors are encouraged to leverage AI for efficiency while maintaining personal connections to ensure clients feel understood and valued.
Full Story: Financial Advisor (11/17)
share-text
 
 
 
 
Health News & Research
 
Opinion: How to address inequities in women's health care
 
Looking down at the floor as she sits on the edge of the hospital bed, the mid adult woman in the hospital gown waits for her test results.
(SDI Productions/Getty Images)
Dr. Barbara Levy of Visana Health discusses women's care disparities in a conversation with former US Senate majority leader Dr. Bill Frist. Gender gaps in research and equitable, whole-person care for women are among the topics examined.
Full Story: The Tennessean (Nashville) (tiered subscription model) (11/18)
share-text
 
Wage gaps in health care shrank during pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic period saw significant wage increases for some health care workers, particularly those in lower-earning positions. Aides and assistants experienced the biggest percentage gains with a 13.6% increase. In contrast, registered nurses saw an increase of 3.8% and technicians 1.1%. Advanced practice providers' wages rose 8.3%.
Full Story: Becker's Hospital Review (11/17)
share-text
 
10.4% preterm birth rate earns US a D+ again, report says
The US received a D+ for its 10.4% preterm birth rate for the fourth consecutive year, according to a March of Dimes report. The report highlighted significant disparities, with a 9.5% preterm birth rate for babies born to white mothers, compared with 14.7% for babies born to Black mothers. Data showed improved preterm birth rate percentages in 19 states, while the numbers worsened in 21 states, according to the CDC.
Full Story: Axios (11/17)
share-text
 
 
 
 
Whole-Person Health
 
Researchers pursue innovative therapies for autoimmune diseases
Researchers are exploring innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases, focusing on reprogramming the immune system to offer more effective and precise therapies. This includes CAR-T therapy, T cell engagers, and the use of regulatory T cells. These new approaches are designed to target the root causes of immune dysfunction rather than just suppressing symptoms, offering hope for more sustainable disease management.
Full Story: The Associated Press (11/14)
share-text
 
 
 
 
Previous Issue's Most-Read Story
 
 
Weight regain common after stopping GLP-1 drugs
Medscape (11/13)
 
 
 
 
Health Plan Company News
 
 
AHIP: In Apples-to-Apples Comparison, the Facts are Clear - Medicare Advantage Outperforms Fee-for-Service Medicare
 
 
Aetna Launches Leading Edge Conversational AI Navigation