12/28/11

US Healthcare: Consumes 80% of World's Opioid Prescriptions

Prescription painkiller use is at an all time high in America. Eighty percent of the world's opioid prescriptions are taken in the US, yet we make-up just 4.6 percent of the world's population. That means we're consuming 83 painkillers for every one pill the average person takes around the world. So it's no surprise that a recent lead story on WorkCompWire centered on a widow whose husband overdosed on oxycodone (an opioid) and she was able to sue the employer for death benefits. Her husband was prescribed the meds due to a serious work-related accident.

12/23/11

What Type of Ripples Do You Want to Create?

As I have gone through life, I have come appreciate the "ripple effect" and how interconnected the world is.  Every action or choice impacts many other people around you and around them. Most of us know the analogy of throwing a rock in a placid lake, where even a small pebble will make ripples.  These ripples spread and become weaker the further away from the center they get, but the ripples still continue to spread until they reach the shore and then they bounce back.

12/8/11

If Aristotle Ran General Motors

Centuries ago, Aristotle wrote about the four transcendent virtues -- Truth, Beauty, Goodness and Unity. He said these virtues were necessary to achieve good for the individual and society. Author Tom Morris put Aristotle's philosophies to the test in his book, "If Aristotle Ran General Motors" to see if these four transcendent virtues can be applied to our business world today.

12/6/11

Finally...Something for Big Boned People

Everyone knows that the increase in obesity is one of the largest cost drivers in US healthcare costs. For example, medical treatment for workers' compensation injuries can cost six to eight times as much with obese patients vs. non-obese. I tend to gain and lose weight a lot (bad, but my reality), so I was particularly interested to read a new study showing that there is one advantage to having a little more heft when it comes to surgeries.  

12/1/11

The Path of Least Resistance -- It's Downhill

I often see people follow the "easy" path in life.  The "path of least resistance." They avoid hard work. They avoid responsibility. They get by doing as little as they possibly can in every situation. They may survive for a while.  They may fool people for a while.  They may charm people for a while.  Over time, the only steps they seem to take are down.  A little one here; a little one there.  It adds up.  Eventually, their life heads downhill fast and they are "in a hole" and need to climb out.