Publications by authors named "Anita Schill"

Article Synopsis
  • - There is a lack of understanding on how Total Worker Health (TWH) guidelines are applied in U.S. organizations, prompting a study to explore real-world applications of the Hierarchy of Controls for TWH from 2012-2019.
  • - The research involved 18 organizations recognized for promising TWH practices, using qualitative interviews to gather insights on issues like fatigue, stress, sedentary work, and tobacco control.
  • - Key findings revealed four main themes: awareness of TWH and its framework, practical implementation challenges, barriers and supports in addressing workplace issues, and how organizational culture affects successful integration of health and safety initiatives.
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Work has become increasingly technologically driven and fast paced, with long work hours, new/emerging hazards, and rising health care costs. Threats to worker safety, health, and well-being including non-traditional work arrangements and practices, precarious work, uncertain hazardous exposures, and work organization issues, such as heavy workloads, design of work, uneven work hours, and difficult interpersonal relationships among workers and managers are apparent. Furthermore, the relationship between personal health risk factors and workplace risks and exposures has drawn increased attention and concern.

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Objective: There is growing interest in the NIOSH Total Worker Health program, specifically in the process of designing and implementing safer, health-promoting work and workplaces. A Total Worker Health (TWH) Research Methodology Workshop was convened to discuss research methods and future needs.

Methods: Twenty-six experts in occupational safety and health and related fields reviewed and discussed current methodological and measurement issues and those showing promise.

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Objective: This article describes the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) development of a conceptual framework for worker well-being. While well-being research is growing, there is a need to translate theoretical concepts into practical models for measurement and action.

Methods: Multidisciplinary literature reviews informed development of the worker well-being framework and major domains and subdomains.

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Objective: The aim of the study was to declare a call to action to improve mental health in the workplace.

Methods: We convened a public health summit and assembled an Advisory Council consisting of experts in the field of occupational health and safety, workplace wellness, and public policy to offer recommendations for action steps to improve health and well-being of workers.

Results: The Advisory Council narrowed the list of ideas to four priority projects.

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The true burden (morbidity, mortality, disability, cost, pain, distress) of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries is unknown, and what is reported as burden is significantly underestimated. This underestimation affects the way decision-makers view investments in research and worker protection, which in turn has a substantial impact on national welfare and public health. To better describe the societal and individual burdens of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries, we propose an approach to gauge what is known about burden and where new assessments may be made.

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Total Worker Health® (TWH) is a paradigm-shifting approach to safety, health, and well-being in the workplace. It is defined as policies, programs, and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with promotion of injury and illness prevention efforts to advance worker well-being. The most current TWH concepts are presented, including a description of issues relevant to TWH and introduction of a hierarchy of controls applied to TWH.

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Action to address workforce functioning and productivity requires a broader approach than the traditional scope of occupational safety and health. Focus on "well-being" may be one way to develop a more encompassing objective. Well-being is widely cited in public policy pronouncements, but often as ".

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Objective: The objective of this article was to provide an overview of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Total Worker Health™ (TWH™) Program that was launched by the institute in 2011.

Methods: This article describes the TWH™ concept, relevant issues, and the NIOSH Program. Examples of the concept are provided.

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Objective: To explore issues related to the aging workforce, including barriers to integrating health protection and promotion programs, and provide recommendations for best practices to maximize contributions by aging workers.

Methods: Workgroups reviewed literature and case studies to develop consensus statements and recommendations for a national approach to issues related to older workers.

Results: Consensus statements and actions steps were identified for each of the Summit goals and call-to-action statements were developed.

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