According to recently published data by the National Institute of Health, two-thirds of teenagers eat less than one serving of fruits and vegetables a day. Adults fare no better, as less than 30 percent consume the recommended daily number of servings.

Those numbers are concerning because we all know the health benefits associated with diets high in produce: slimmer bodies, healthier lifestyles and reduced likelihood of chronic illness. And diets that include plenty of fresh vegetables have also been shown to help improve children’s academic performance.  Read more

On Aug. 29, 2013, the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Ruling 2013-17, ruling that same-sex couples who are legally married in jurisdictions that recognize their marriages will be treated as married for federal tax purposes, regardless of their state of residence.

Employers may wish to file refund claims for payroll taxes paid on previously-taxed health insurance and fringe benefits provided to same-sex spouses. The Treasury and the IRS intend to issue streamlined procedures for these claims. Read more

Influenza is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every year, as many as 49,000 people in the United States die from influenza or related complications, according to the CDC, with the vast majority of victims being 65 years and older.

Flu season in the United States typically begins in October and can last as late as May. During this time, viruses that cause the flu circulate through the population. Read More

On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of DOMA. As a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling, same-sex couples that are legally married under state law are now entitled to the same benefits and protections under federal law as opposite-sex married couples.

One federal law this is impacted by this ruling is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which entitles eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons, with continuation of group health insurance coverage. Read more