Research - Evaluation - Guidance Project Highlights
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Research Activities and Summaries
ORISE helps NIOSH improve the health and safety of U.S. workers by conducting formative research activities and developing annual research summaries. ORISE conducts focus groups, in-depth interviews, and telephone surveys to study specific topics of interest to NIOSH.
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
Prepared and maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), IRIS is an electronic database with information on human health effects that may result from exposure to various chemicals in the environment. In managing this program, ORISE conducts literature searches and prepares toxicological reviews and summaries of chemical substances.
Environmental Health Education Needs Assessment
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
addresses public health issues arising from the release of hazardous substances to the environment. In helping ATSDR work with communities potentially affected by activities at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site, ORISE has conducted focus groups to identify the health education needs of the residents.
Immunization News for Managers (INFORM)
ORISE helps the CDC address emerging health issues and media misinformation by collecting and analyzing hundreds of domestic and international news articles daily. Through INFORM, a media analysis and message mapping project, ORISE helps CDC to meet this need.
Developing a New Lead Poisoning Prevention Vocabulary
ORISE conducted telephone focus groups to assist the CDC in better understanding of whether lead poisoning prevention terminology is confusing or understood by the public. The focus groups identified what factors or attributes of lead poisoning prevention terminology are understood or misunderstood by the public.
Minority Perceptions of Public Health Issues in Indiana
The Indiana State Department of Health (IDH) commissioned a study of health communication issues among minority residents of the state, and ORISE conducted telephone surveys with African-American, Asian-American, and Latino-American residents of Indiana. Males and females, people above and below median income, and occupants of six different area codes were surveyed.
National Immunization Program (NIP) Racial and Ethnic Adult Disparities in Immunization (READII)
ORISE assisted NIP in conducting a usability study of the site to enhance the effectiveness of its Web site. The study examined usability, readability, legibility, experience of user-friendliness, and engagement which will help CDC/NIP continue to provide leadership for the planning, coordination, and conduct of immunization activities nationwide.
Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Among Immigrants
ORISE conducted focus groups to test Public Service Announcements on the dangers of carbon monoxide. The study collected related information on the participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding the subject. All participants were Spanish-speaking, recent immigrants to the United States with less than 12 years of formal education.
Workshop Evaluation
The National Institutes of Health, Office of Rare Diseases (NIH ORD) requested that ORISE evaluate the effectiveness of workshops held during a five-year period. Results of the evaluation will be used by ORD in planning and evaluating future workshops.