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NIOSH Programs > Musculoskeletal Disorders
> Strategic Goals
Musculoskeletal DisordersInputs: NIOSH Strategic GoalsA key leadership role for Acumen is the development of the NIOSH Research Agenda for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). Acumen is in the process of developing "strategic goals" to guide our research and partnership efforts over the next decade. NIOSH Program Portfolio ApproachNIOSH has been organizing research, guidance, information, and service efforts into specific programs that can be readily communicated and strategically governed and evaluated. Eight NORA Sector Programs represent industrial sectors, and twenty-four Cross-sector Programs organized around adverse health outcomes, statutory programs and global efforts. The NORA Sector Programs intersect with Cross-Sector Programs in a matrix-like fashion. For example, an Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program goal of reducing farm-related deaths and injuries due to tractor rollovers and trucks would likely be a shared goal with the Transportation Program and if appropriate would be adopted by both programs. This approach provides an added advantage and will allow multiple Programs to work towards accomplishment of intersecting goals. Each of the 32 programs in the NIOSH Program Portfolio has a Manager and Coordinator. Each of the 8 NIOSH Sector Programs facilitates the work of a NORA Sector Council to engage external stakeholders in the process of developing sector goals for the nation and methods to measure the short-term, intermediate and long-term outcomes arising from those goals. The NORA goals for the nation will be considered when choosing NIOSH sector program goals. Cross Sector programs have internal Steering Committees that develop program goals and monitor outcome measures. These planning efforts will position NIOSH to align with the most current governmental approaches for evaluating program effectiveness, i.e., the Program Assessment Rating Tool (or PART). PART is a mechanism to hold governmental agencies accountable for accomplishing results. As part of our comprehensive approach to performance measurement, NIOSH has engaged the National Academies to independently evaluate our sector and cross-programs for relevance and impact. Draft Musculoskeletal Disorders GoalsFive preliminary Strategic Goals have been chosen. They are categorized as Exposures, Causes, Effects, Intervention, and Surveillance. Likewise, several Intermediate Goals have been identified. Each Intermediate Goal will soon be associated with specific prioritized research tasks and performance measures (stay tuned to this website). Fulfilling these research goals will tap the broad strengths of NIOSH, including biochemistry, biomechanics, economics, engineering, epidemiology, occupational medicine, molecular biology, physiology, psychology, and toxicology. ExposuresStrategic Goal 1: Valid, reliable, comprehensive exposure assessment of MSD risk factors in multi-factorial environments.
CausesStrategic Goal 2: Definitive understanding of the multi-factorial relationships among exposures, risk factors, and MSDs.
EffectsStrategic Goal 3 : Definitive understanding of MSDs and their consequences.
InterventionsStrategic Goal 4: Prevention and reduction of MSDs and related consequences.
SurveillanceStrategic Goal 5: Actionable knowledge of the prevalence, incidence, and severity of MSDs.
NIOSH and Acumen are interested in your opinions about the relevance and value of strategic goals for the MSD Cross-Sector Program. We encourage you to consider partnering with us on issues of interest to you and your organization. Page last updated:
December 5, 2008
Page last reviewed: June 17, 2008 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
NIOSH Program:Musculoskeletal Disorders |
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