The future of intervention research at NIOSH

Area of Science:

• Occupational Safety and Health
• Public Health Interventions
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recognizes the need for more aggressive intervention research.
• Current research often stops at identification and recommendations, not verifying prevention.
• Intervention research is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of implemented safety measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline NIOSH's commitment to increasing support for control technology and intervention research.
• To emphasize the importance of intervention research in determining the actual occurrence of prevention.
• To detail the strategic approaches NIOSH will employ to advance intervention research.

Main Methods:

• Focusing on enhancing existing control technology and surveillance programs.
• Seeking collaborative input from industry and labor partners.
• Employing interdisciplinary approaches and integrating behavioral procedures.
• Considering the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of proposed controls.

Main Results:

• NIOSH commits to increased extramural and intramural support for intervention research.
• Intervention research will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hierarchy of controls, workplace standards, and healthcare.
• Findings will inform occupational disease and injury surveillance and health communication.

Conclusions:

• NIOSH's enhanced focus on intervention research aims to move beyond identification to proven prevention.
• This strategic shift will strengthen the assessment of workplace interventions and safety standards.
• Dissemination of results will broadly benefit occupational health and safety practices.