EXECUTIVE HEALTH

"There are many myths about executives' health," says Dr. Harry Johnson, chairman of the medical board of the Life Extension Institute, New York. "People in the advertising business talk about the ulcer factories they work in, but studies show they have no more ulcers than any other executive group."

The business executive is generally in excellent health , better than average. "This executive has a better than average life expectancy, is stable, and is not overly tense," Dr Johnson says, adding that health exams show 75 percent of all executives are free of any significant disease.

But, Dr. Johnson points out, executives do have physical fitness problems. "About one-third of all executives have ten percent more weight than they should. They are physically lazy, and this is a health hazard they face.'

One of the degenerative diseases that has become a serious problem for executives is cirrhosis of the liver. "No doubt, alcohol is our Nation's No. 1 health problem" Dr. Johnson says. "We are seeing greater and greater consumption of alcohol by busines executives. It has become the major indoor sport for these people."

A recent survey of 8,200 executives showed that 23 percent were non-drinkers, Another 50 percent had one to two drinks per day, and 20 percent had three to four drinks per day. However, 5 percent admitted to having five to six drinks per day, and 2 percent had seven drinks or more per day.

Cirrhosis of the liver is difficult to detect before serious damage occurs. "When we tell them that someone drinking five, six or seven drinks a day is a problem drinker, they say they can quit any time. But they don't. Now, we can tell them that we are finding more and more cirrhosis of the liver, and that stems from excessive drinking. Hopefully, they'll begin to listen to that." He adds.

Addiction to alcohol in Canada is becoming an increasing problem in industry and commerce: both recognize their obligation to assist addicted employees, and addiction is accepted as a disease. These are some of the facts emerging from a research council survey.

Top level executives and industrial relations personnel in major companies from all parts of Canada participated in the survey. "One hundred percent of the respondents see addiction as treatable, a significant change of attitude over the past twenty years, when that figure might have been only 10 percent. The fact that addiction is now considered to be a disease by 59 percent is equally encouraging, as is the fact that 87 percent of the respondents stated industry had an oblgation to their problem drinking employees and that 94 percent believed such obligation should be shared by unions.

Asked whether alcohol or other drugs presented a problem within the company, 57 percent replied in the negative, and 41 percent in the affirmative.

Fifty-eight percent believed this problem to be greater among hourly rated employees, versus salaried employees.

OFFICE OVERLOAD MANAGEMENTIPS

DON SAYS: There seems to be a serious problem in industry and commerce, however the matter of alcoholism is being attended to and we look forward to overcoming the abuse of alcohol.