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Companies Need To Modernize Their Parental Leave Policies
Companies Need To Modernize Their Parental Leave Policies

Forbes

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Forbes

Companies Need To Modernize Their Parental Leave Policies

Cynthia McEwen is the Vice President of People at women's health benefits company Progyny. According to a 2023 U.S. Office of the Surgeon General Advisory, nearly 50% of parents said they experienced overwhelming stress most days. But when it comes to employer-provided support, such as parental leave policies, many modern workplaces aren't offering what these caregivers need. Traditional leave policies often fail to account for the wide range of family structures and birth-related situations that exist today. Adaptable parental leave policies are more than a benefit. They're a strategic imperative for employers seeking to attract and retain talent. Let's examine these challenges and determine how employers can effectively address them, ensuring both employee support and a strong bottom line. Caregivers who adopt or foster children face unique challenges. For example, the legal processes involved in pursuing this path require extensive preparation, including up to six months of in-person appointments that often take place during business hours. International adoptions present additional challenges, like extensive travel and even more complex legal procedures, that don't always align with conventional leave timeframes. Meanwhile, foster placements often occur at a pace that makes it impractical to adhere to standard leave policies' advanced notice requirements. Companies can alleviate these challenges by offering more flexible parental leave policies that accommodate home studies and training, travel and last-minute placements in fostering households. Other useful support for easing the transition to parenthood are financial assistance for adoption-related expenses, access to counseling and parent-focused employee resource groups. Birth complications highlight the additional inadequacy of many parental leave policies. According to a 2023 study on maternal health, women are still at risk for developing serious health conditions after the standard postpartum period of six to eight weeks. These may result in extended recovery periods, frequent medical follow-ups and a need for additional caregiving support. Meanwhile, the non-birthing parent must be able to provide the necessary emotional and logistical support. However, many postpartum care services end after six weeks, leaving parents without the resources they need. Supporting employees through birth complications requires a multifaceted approach. Return-to-work assistance, for example, helps reduce absenteeism, improve retention and mitigate long-term career setbacks. Offering extended leave or flexible work arrangements for employees whose partner is in postpartum recovery can help improve health outcomes for both parents and reduce stress during an already challenging time. Additionally, benefits must go beyond medical care. Mental health support, such as access to employee assistance programs, is particularly vital because psychological distress is a significant factor in maternal morbidity and mortality. By addressing both medical and emotional needs, employers can foster a more supportive environment for all parents affected by birth complications. In many cultures, childbirth is a communal experience where extended family plays a major role in postpartum care. Parental leave policies that fail to consider these cultural norms may force employees to choose between their professional responsibilities and deeply rooted traditions that support maternal and family well-being. By accommodating cultural birth-related practices—whether through adequate paid leave, flexible return-to-work options or childcare-related resources—companies can demonstrate respect for all parents. There are many family structures beyond the stereotypical two-parent household, such as single-parent households, blended families and families formed through surrogacy. But traditional parental leave policies rarely address these families' specific circumstances. For example, if a single parent is responsible for all caregiving duties, they may have greater time off needs than someone with a co-parent or a strong support system. Parents with blended families may need flexibility to accommodate legal arrangements, while families formed through surrogacy often need additional time for the emotional adjustments associated with welcoming a child. When companies provide parental leave, they should consider all paths to parenthood and different ways that families form. Policies that are paired with back-to-work transition support, new-parent educational resources and other tools help create a workplace culture where individuals can thrive both professionally and personally. As we continue to redefine what it means to "work well," let's ensure parental leave policies evolve to meet the needs of today's workforce. Anything less risks perpetuating inequities and forfeits the opportunity to build truly empowering workplaces. Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?

Sobering Figures: Alcohol's Link to GI Cancer
Sobering Figures: Alcohol's Link to GI Cancer

Medscape

time06-06-2025

  • Health
  • Medscape

Sobering Figures: Alcohol's Link to GI Cancer

This transcript has been edited for clarity. In January 2025, the US Surgeon General released an important advisory that 'highlights alcohol use as a leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, contributing to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths each year.' This is in line with epidemiologic evidence for the carcinogenicity of alcohol. However, the advisory also noted that approximately 72% of American adults drink alcohol at least once a week, and fewer than half realize that alcohol use contributes to an increase in cancer risk. In this video, we will explore the research linking alcohol to gastrointestinal (GI) cancers and suggest ways that physicians and public health experts can help individuals dramatically reduce their alcohol consumption. Through careful discussions in the clinic and public health initiatives, we can hopefully prevent many cancer deaths related to alcohol use. The Toll of Alcohol-Associated GI Cancer The association between alcohol consumption and cancer risk was first appreciated during the late 1980s. Over time, a growing body of research has demonstrated 'a causal relationship between alcohol use and increased risk for at least seven different types of cancer, including breast (in women), colorectum, esophagus, liver, mouth (oral cavity), throat (pharynx), and voice box (larynx).' The advisory publication noted that in 2020, approximately 741,300 patients developed cancer in part due to alcohol. In the United States, there are approximately 20,000 cancer deaths annually related to alcohol consumption, more than the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle collisions each year, which totals 13,500. Breast cancer makes up 60% of cancer-related deaths for women, while liver cancer (approximately 33%) and colorectal cancer (approximately 21%) make up the most cancer-related deaths for men. These figures should be sobering. Although the risk of developing cancer in people who consume fewer than two drinks per day is lower compared with higher levels of alcohol ingestion, there are a greater number of people who consume one to two drinks per day. Therefore, the total number of cancer cases is similar. In 2020, 185,100 patients who drank one to two drinks daily developed cancer attributed to alcohol usage, compared with 153,400 patients who consumed four to six drinks per day and 192,900 patients who consumed more than six drinks per day. A standard drink of alcohol amounts to 5 fluid ounces of wine, 12 fluid ounces of beer, or 1.5 fluid ounces of hard liquor. Knowledge Gap The International Agency for Research on Cancer — a specialty arm of the World Health Organization — now classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen along with tobacco, asbestos, and formaldehyde. In fact, 25 years ago, the US National Toxicology Program announced that alcoholic beverage consumption is carcinogenic. Yet, there remains a knowledge gap among the American public about the fact that alcohol is a strong cancer risk factor. A 2019 survey indicated that only 45% of Americans realized alcohol is a cancer risk factor, while those surveyed had higher awareness of the cancer risks posed by other factors, such as radiation exposure (91%), tobacco (89%), and asbestos (81%). Scientists have been studying alcohol as a potential risk factor for cancer over 20 years, using the same template of observational studies that researchers previously applied to studying smoking as a cancer risk factor. A large global meta-analysis comprising 572 research studies and 486,538 cancer deaths concluded that alcohol is indeed a cancer risk factor. A pooled analysis of 26 studies found the odds of developing oral cancer increased by 40% for those who drank one alcoholic beverage daily compared with those who did not. Furthermore, another meta-analysis showed the relative risk of cancer development compared with people who don't drink was 1.0 for light drinkers, 1.21 for moderate drinkers, and 1.52 for heavy drinkers (ie, more than four drinks per day). How Alcohol Causes Cancer Acetaldehyde is a breakdown byproduct of alcohol that can cause cancer by binding to DNA and damaging it. As a result, a cell can begin to grow uncontrollably and produce a cancerous tumor. In addition, alcohol can produce reactive oxygen species, which has the potential to create inflammation through oxidation, also damaging DNA, proteins, and lipids. Studies have shown that providing ethanol or acetaldehyde, which is the metabolic breakdown product of ethanol, led rats to develop more tumors in the body compared with controls. Alcohol can even increase estrogen levels, which can potentially predispose to breast cancer development. Smoking while drinking poses additional risks. Carcinogens from tobacco smoke can dissolve in alcohol liquid and more easily enter the body, which is especially concerning for the potential contribution to throat and oral cancers. Acetaldehyde can sometimes be used as a food additive and aroma agent, and is a significant carcinogenic component found in cigarette smoke. The acetaldehyde concentration in cigarette smoke is 1000 times greater than that in other significant carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or nitrosamines from tobacco. Drinking alcohol in combination with smoking cigarettes can have a synergistic negative effect on the risk for colorectal cancer, and the combination can have a sevenfold effect on the upper digestive tract's exposure to carcinogenic acetaldehyde. Additional research has focused on whether folate deficiency, sometimes caused by heavy alcohol use, might also place patients at risk through an alternative pathway. Esophageal and Liver Cancer According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), heavy alcohol consumption can increase esophageal cancer risk fivefold. Even light drinking can increase the risk by 1.3-fold, highlighting the importance of limiting alcohol consumption. The NCI also reports that heavy alcohol ingestion can multiply the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by two times compared with the regular population. Although additional research needs to be conducted, it has been hypothesized that alcohol can cause liver cancer by altering the immune response, causing reactive oxygen species production, and producing changes in the immune response. Unfortunately, alcohol can act synergistically with hepatitis B and C to cause liver cancer. Also, consistently drinking two or more alcoholic beverages per day is associated with an increased risk for liver cancer. Gastric Cancer Recent studies have shown that alcohol consumption could increase gastric cancer risk. Acetaldehydes may act as a possible mechanism by creating a local toxic effect, and ethanol may also disturb gastric mucosal protection. A meta-analysis that reviewed 10 case-control studies investigating alcohol and gastric cancer risks validated it as a risk factor even at low levels of alcohol consumption. A Korean population-based retrospective cohort study found that 'the risk of GI cancer increased linearly with the frequency of drinking in a dose-dependent manner.' Pancreatic Cancer The same Korean study found that the risk for pancreatic cancer increased with weekly alcohol drinking. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Cancer also showed a 20% increase in pancreatic cancer risk with alcohol consumption. In a study of over 450,000 Americans living in California, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer in heavy alcohol users (at least three drinks per day) was 1.35 compared with light users (less than one drink per day) in never smokers. Another study, of over 33,000 patients in Sweden, found the relative risk of pancreatic cancer for intermediate and heavy alcohol use was 2.13 in former smokers. Colorectal Cancer In 2025, the NCI published a guide indicating that moderate to heavy alcohol consumption is associated with a 1.2- to 1.5-fold increased risk for colorectal cancer compared with patients who were abstinent. In an earlier review, from 2015, researchers showed that alcohol consumption of more than 30 grams per day was associated with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Estimates from the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research indicate that there was a 9% risk of developing colorectal cancer for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed daily. In addition, folate deficiency has been shown to worsen the effects of drinking alcohol on colorectal cancer risks. A 2022 meta-analysis published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that consuming alcohol was associated with a 1.71 relative risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer. Interestingly, cigarette smoking was not statistically significant for establishing such an association. Consumption of processed meat and fried foods, as well as lack of exercise, also contributed to the development of early-onset colorectal cancer. As physicians, we should encourage patients to make lifestyle modifications to avoid those other risk factors. While additional research needs to be conducted, a cohort study in California and Hawaii, led by Dr Song-Yi Park, indicated that the relationship between alcohol and colorectal cancer might vary by ethnicity. In addition, it found that colorectal cancer risk was increased by wine and beer, but not liquor. The association with alcohol was greatest for rectal and left colon cancers. Public Health Approaches Alcohol is the most consumed drug in the United States, a statistic that requires validated approaches for addressing. In the future, Congress can vote to include alcohol warning labels on bottles and cans. There's evidence that health warning labels are effective in teaching the public about alcohol-induced health consequences. Interestingly, multiple studies have illustrated a decrease in alcohol consumption following viewership of alcohol warning labels. In addition, alcohol warning labels depicting liver cancer or negative alcohol consequences have been shown to reduce drinking and drunk driver situations. A 2024 meta-analysis showed with 'moderate certainty' that alcohol warning labels might decrease selection of alcoholic drinks and drinking before driving. However, there was 'low evidence' demonstrating that warning labels might reduce alcohol drinking per occasion, or alcohol drinking speeds, which would be important considerations at parties and social gatherings. A 2020 study showed that alcohol selection was lower for all kinds of alcohol warning labels compared with no warning labels. Specifically, alcoholic drink selection was 56% with warning labels that consisted of an image and text, 49% for image only, and 61% for text only. During the 1990s and 2000s, physicians and public health experts learned a lot about how to motivate patients to quit smoking. One successful public health approach was the use of the transtheoretical model, where patients go through various stages, such as precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance, when trying to decide when to quit smoking. This behavioral modification model could be used for alcohol prevention too. Key public policy interventions also helped, including a tobacco taxation, advertising bans, and tobacco marketing restrictions in smoke-free zones. Similar interventions could work well for alcohol. Alcohol taxation can be used to deter heavy drinkers and young drinkers who don't have as much money to spend, given that tobacco taxation was successful for smoking reductions. Furthermore, policies could be set to maintain minimum unit pricing to prevent the sale of ultracheap liquor. States could also limit the hours of alcohol purchasing or even the days, such as banning alcohol sales on Sunday. These public health strategies could work in tandem to help decrease alcohol drinking rates in the United States. Alcohol and smoking are very similar social activities that for years were depicted as stylish and cool in movies and on TV. Then smoking ads were banned on TV through the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1970. During the 1970s, cigarette companies shifted their advertising from TV to print. So, it would be important in the future to ban alcohol ads from all media and printed marketing. As highlighted by the World Health Organization, advertising bans and restrictions were helpful in Nordic countries with decreasing the per-capita drinking amount. Finally, physicians should screen patients for heavy alcohol consumption using the validated AUDIT- C questionnaire and biomarkers such as phosphatidyl ethanol. When needed, Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar 12-step program can be offered to patients who drink heavily to reduce alcohol consumption. Tips to Reduce Alcohol Consumption Here are some helpful tips to encourage patients and friends to reduce alcohol consumption. Set a quit date and avoid triggers such as meeting friends at bars. Drink mocktails at social gatherings and parties. Patients can also choose from a plethora of innovative and tasty alcohol-free beers when drinking with friends. Several beer companies, such as Heineken, Budweiser, Guinness, and Samuel Adams, have developed great alcohol-free beer alternatives, which are extremely helpful for patients trying to remain abstinent and also for those trying to prevent cancer. Mass media initiatives such as the Ad Council and celebrity public service announcement television spots could be used to shift social norms around alcohol consumption. Public service announcements could also be shared at sporting events and concerts where alcohol consumption is common. Public health campaigns could place posters in bars and liquor stores informing consumers about the link between alcohol and cancer. Social media could teach target populations about alcohol reduction in fun and engaging ways. By talking with patients in clinic and working on public health campaigns, gastroenterologists have a unique opportunity to inspire behavioral lifestyle changes in patients and to prevent many cancers.

Loneliness as deadly as obesity and smoking pack a day, top health expert warns
Loneliness as deadly as obesity and smoking pack a day, top health expert warns

The Independent

time26-05-2025

  • Health
  • The Independent

Loneliness as deadly as obesity and smoking pack a day, top health expert warns

Elvis Presley sang it in Heartbreak Hotel and now a top voice in American health says the classic song's chorus has become an alarming reality: Americans are feeling so lonely, they could die. Vivek Murthy, the former U.S. Surgeon General, is warning that the negative health impacts of chronic loneliness are comparable to some of the nation's biggest killers. 'The overall mortality increase that can be related to social disconnection is comparable to the mortality impact of smoking and obesity,' he told NBC's 'Meet the Press' on Sunday. 'That's how powerful and how important loneliness is.' He cautioned that loneliness and isolation can raise people's risk for dangerous health conditions Murthy astonishingly said he found that chronic loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 'Well, it turns out that our connection with one another, this is not just a nice thing to have, it's biologically an imperative for us,' he said. 'It's something we need for survival, just like we need food and water.' Raising awareness about the loneliness and isolation epidemic was a large part of his work during the Biden administration, releasing an advisory to call attention to the issue in 2023. The guidance included a six-pronged plan of action, including to enact pro-connection policies, reform digital environments, conduct more related research, and cultivate a culture of connection. Murthy said then that the consequences of poor social connection with others include a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease, a 32 percent increased risk of stroke, a 50 percent increased risk of developing dementia for older adults, and a 60 percent increased risk of premature death. It is also connected to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Those were only some of the physical repercussions. In addition, the risk of depression among people who report feeling lonely is more than twice that of those who rarely or never feel lonely. Loneliness and social isolation in childhood also increase the risk of depression and anxiety. In the U.S., about one in three adults report feeling lonely and around one in four report not having social and emotional support, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Certain people and groups are more at-risk, including low-income adults, young adults, older adults, adults living alone, immigrants, people with a mental or physical challenge, people who are victims of violence or abuse, people facing the loss of a love one or unemployment, and people in the LGBTQIA+ community. Murthy said that kids struggle the most. 'We tend to think, 'Oh. Kids are on social media. That's great because they're connected to one another.' But, no, we have to recognize there's a difference between the connections you have online and the connections you have in person,' Murthy said. As more relationships have shifted online, more kids are struggling with an 'intense' culture of comparison, are trying to be people they're not, and don't have as many in-person friendships as we need. 'One student [who] I talked to at a college, as I was traveling the country, he said to me ... 'How are we supposed to connect with one another when it's no longer the culture for people to talk to each other?'' Murthy recalled. 'And, I saw that on college campuses,' he said. A national survey from Harvard University previously found that 73 percent of those surveyed selected technology as contributing to loneliness in the country. 'Parents do have good reason to be worried right now,' Murthy added.

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