Cost of detecting a chronic solvent encephalopathy case by screening.

Background: Stepwise screening of chronic solvent encephalopathy (CSE), using a postal survey followed by clinical examinations, has been shown to detect symptomatic exposed workers with an occupational disease even in industrialized countries with long-term, but relatively low dose exposure. Previous studies have suggested under-detection and late recognition of CSE, when work ability is already markedly reduced.

Aims: The aim was to estimate the cost of detecting one new CSE case by screening and diagnostics, to estimate the career extension needed to cover the cost of screening, and to study the work ability of the CSE cases.

Strategic wellness management in Finland: The first national survey of the management of employee well-being.

Objectives: To examine the scope of strategic wellness management (SWM) in Finland. To measure management of wellness a strategic wellness management index (SWMI) was developed.

Methods: On the basis of the developed SWM model an Internet questionnaire was conducted for randomly selected employers representing seven business areas and three size categories.

Effectiveness of a worksite exercise program with respect to perceived work ability and sick leaves among women with physical work.

Objectives: This multicentered randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of worksite exercise intervention on perceived work ability and sick leaves.

Methods: Women (N = 260, mean age 40 years) engaged in physically demanding laundry work were individually randomized into an intervention (N = 133) or control (N = 127) group. Perceived work ability was assessed with questionnaires at 3, 8, 12, and 15 months.