NIOSH Priority Goals for Extramural Research
NIOSH Sector and Cross-Sector programs have identified priority goals for extramural research to fill research gaps that are currently not being addressed by NIOSH intramural or internal research. You can find more details on the NIOSH Sector and Cross-Sector programs on the NIOSH Program Portfolio page.
The extramural research goals below should be considered at the time research projects are being developed. For further guidance on selecting goals, see the Select Goals page. Researchers are encouraged to identify priority goals for extramural research as a part of their application.
NIOSH Priority Goals for Extramural Research: FY2019-FY2023
Strategic Goal 1: Reduce occupational cancer, cardiovascular disease, adverse reproductive outcomes, and other chronic diseases.
| Goal Number |
Program Intersection |
Goal Shorthand |
Research Focus |
Worker Population |
Research Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1D | CRC x AFF | Pesticide exposure and neurologic disorders | Effective implementation strategies | Agriculture and forestry vulnerable populations | Translation |
| 1.3E | CRC x HSA | Adverse reproductive outcomes | Adherence to safe handling of hazardous drug guidance | Range of work settings, such as: pharmacy, outpatient clinics, veterinary medicine | Intervention Translation |
| 1.9C | CRC x PSS | Exposure to carcinogens | Respiratory protection during overhaul operations | Fire service | Translation |
| 1.10C | CRC x PSS | Risk factors for cardiovascular disease | Reduce known non-occupational risk factors | Corrections, law enforcement, EMS, and fire service | Intervention Translation |
| 1.10D | CRC x PSS | Risk factors for cardiovascular disease | Respiratory and thermal protection, other interventions on fire ground | Fire service | Intervention Translation |
| 1.12B | CRC x SRV | Adverse reproductive outcomes | Chemical exposures | Nail and hair salon workers, small businesses | Intervention Translation |
| 1.13B | CRC x TWU | Cardiovascular disease and obesity, work organization | Best communication methods to decrease risk factors, tailoring interventions from other sectors | Long-haul truck drivers | Intervention Translation |
Strategic Goal 2: Reduce occupational hearing loss.
| Goal Number |
Program Intersection |
Goal Shorthand |
Research Focus |
Worker Population |
Research Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1C | HLP x CON | Engineering controls to reduce noise exposure | Develop supply of and demand for quieter hand tools | Laborers, carpenters, boilermakers, workers with disproportionate risk, small businesses | Intervention Translation |
| 2.2A | HLP x CON | Hearing loss prevention education for employers and workers | Fit testing (voluntary consensus standards, increasing availability) | Noise exposed workers | Translation |
| 2.2B | HLP x CON | Hearing loss prevention education for employers and workers | Training and awareness (employers, supervisors and workers; apps) | Noise exposed workers, workers at disproportionate risk | Intervention Translation |
| 2.4A | HLP x MNF | Hearing loss prevention education for employers and workers | Integrating new technologies into education (e.g., noise app, fit testing) | Noise exposed manufacturing workers (esp. small businesses) | Translation |
| 2.6C | HLP x OGE | Exposure to hazardous noise and ototoxic chemicals | Effective use of personal protective equipment | Drilling contractors, well servicing contractors, small businesses | Translation |
| 2.7A | HLP x SRV | Exposure to hazardous noise | Overexposure to noise (intermittent use of loud equipment) | Building services workers, arts and entertainment, small businesses | Intervention Translation |
| 2.7B | HLP x SRV | Exposure to hazardous noise | Lack of awareness of noise as a hazard and how to protect hearing | Building services workers, arts and entertainment, small businesses | Translation |
Strategic Goal 3: Reduce occupational immune, infectious, and dermal disease.
| Goal Number |
Program Intersection |
Goal Shorthand |
Research Focus |
Worker Population |
Research Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3A | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Sharps injury prevention technology | Management, workers who use sharps medical devices | Intervention |
| 3.3B | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Sharps injury prevention (safety culture) | Management, workers (human or veterinary settings) | Translation |
| 3.3F | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Vaccinations are underutilized | All healthcare workers (esp. long-term care, home care), veterinary and animal care workers | Translation |
| 3.3G | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Handwashing best practices underused | All healthcare and veterinary medicine(VM)/animal care (AC) workers | Translation |
| 3.3H | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Personal protective equipment (e.g., barrier PPE such as gowns, gloves, eye protection; and respiratory protection) | All healthcare and VM/AC workers | Intervention Translation |
| 3.3J | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Rapid identification and isolation of contagious individuals | Workers in hospitals, urgent care, homeless shelters, others as needed to address outbreaks (human or veterinary) | Basic/Etiologic |
| 3.3K | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Barriers to implementing existing recommendations | Workers in hospitals, urgent care, homeless shelters, others as needed to address outbreaks (human or veterinary) | Translation |
| 3.4D | IID x HSA | Exposures related to asthma and other immune diseases | Adherence to best practices re: cleaning agents | Environmental workers, nursing assistants, nurses | Translation |
| 3.6A | IID x PSS | Infectious disease transmission | Adapt guidelines to prevent exposure to blood and bodily fluids | Corrections and law enforcement | Intervention |
| 3.6C | IID x PSS | Infectious disease transmission | Underutilization of personal protective equipment to prevent infectious disease transmission | Corrections and law enforcement | Intervention Translation |
| 3.6D | IID x PSS | Infectious disease transmission | No reporting of infectious disease exposures; industry/occupation variables not included in existing surveillance systems | Corrections, law enforcement, and EMS | Surveillance |
Strategic Goal 4: Reduce occupational musculoskeletal disorders.
| Goal Number |
Program Intersection |
Goal Shorthand |
Research Focus |
Worker Population |
Research Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1G | MUS x AFF | Exposure to vibration and repetitive motion | Lifting (e.g., product) | Seafood processing workers | Intervention Translation |
| 4.2A | MUS x CON | Musculoskeletal disorders and emerging technologies (e.g. robots, exoskeletons) | Underuse of existing interventions | Masonry, concrete, dry wall, roofing, and plumbing workers; laborers; small businesses; workers of disproportionate risk | Translation |
| 4.4A | MUS x MIN | Musculoskeletal disorder risk factors | Improved identification and remediation of musculoskeletal disorder risk factors at mining facilities | Metal/non-metal; stone, sand and gravel | Intervention Translation |
| 4.5A | MUS x SRV | Risk factors for back injuries | Risk factors like manual labor, awkward posture, lifting, age | Building and dwelling, temporary employment services, auto repair and maintenance, lessors of real estate, waste collectors, travel accommodations; vulnerable workers; small businesses | Intervention Translation |
| 4.8B | MUS x HSA | Musculoskeletal disorders interventions | Identify and address barriers to implementation and dissemination of effective interventions and to identify key components of sustainability | All healthcare workers including VM/AC workers | Translation |
| 4.8C | MUS x HSA | Musculoskeletal disorders interventions | Evaluate the effectiveness of safe patient handling policies and regulations | All healthcare workers | Intervention |
| 4.8E | MUS x HSA | Musculoskeletal disorders interventions | Evaluation of exoskeletons or other innovative approaches to reduce risk of MSDs during patient handling or performing healthcare procedures | All healthcare workers including VM/AC workers; vulnerable populations* and previously injured workers | Intervention |
Strategic Goal 5: Reduce occupational respiratory disease.
| Goal Number |
Program Intersection |
Goal Shorthand |
Research Focus |
Worker Population |
Research Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1B | RHP x AFF | Fixed airways diseases | Engineering controls and PPE for organic dusts and related gases and fumes | Agriculture (esp. CAFOs) | Intervention Translation |
| 5.1D | RHP x AFF | Fixed airways diseases | Engineering controls and PPE for pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and chemicals (used in new areas as vectors move north) | Agriculture (esp. CAFOs) | Translation |
| 5.2A | RHP x CON | Exposure to mineral dusts | Implementation of silica requirements (collection of objective data) | Small businesses, workers at disproportionate risk | Translation |
| 5.4C | RHP x HSA | Work-related asthma | Specialized exposures (i.e. surgical smoke, aerosolized medication) | Respiratory therapists, nurses, surgeons | Intervention Translation |
| 5.8D | RHP x MIN | Exposure to mineral dusts | Coal dust engineering controls | Coal mine workers | Intervention Translation |
| 5.8G | RHP x MIN | Exposure to mineral dusts | Increase usage of crystalline silica interventions | Metal/non-metal; coal; stone, sand and gravel mine workers | Translation |
| 5.12A | RHP x HSA | Interstitial/fibrotic lung disease | Relationship between airborne occupational exposures and the risk for developing interstitial/fibrotic lung disease | Dental personnel | Basic/Etiologic Intervention |
Strategic Goal 6: Improve workplace safety to reduce traumatic injuries.
| Goal Number |
Program Intersection |
Goal Shorthand |
Research Focus |
Worker Population |
Research Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1D | TIP x AFF | Traumatic injury among high risk populations | Machine-related incidents (e.g., tractor, PTO, and grain engulfment) | Agriculture; commercial fishing and seafood processing workers | Intervention Translation |
| 6.1G | TIP x AFF | Traumatic injury among high risk populations | Explore sources for non-fatal work-related injuries | Agriculture; commercial fishing and seafood processing workers | Surveillance |
| 6.1H | TIP x AFF | Traumatic injury among high risk populations | Falls overboard and vessel disasters | Commercial fishing workers | Intervention Translation |
| 6.1I | TIP x AFF | Traumatic injury among high risk populations | Falls (stairs & wet floors) | Seafood processing workers | Intervention Translation |
| 6.2A | TIP x CON | Falls | Falls from elevation | Iron workers, sheet metal workers, roofers, power line installers, telecommunications workers, laborers, small businesses, workers at disproportionate risk | Intervention Translation |
| 6.2B | TIP x CON | Falls | Falls on the same level | All construction workers (especially laborers, small businesses, workers at disproportionate risk) | Intervention Translation |
| 6.5A | TIP x MNF | Machine-related injuries | Contacts with traditional machines | Many manufacturing workers (esp. those using assembly lines and conveyor belts), vulnerable workers, workers with non-standard work arrangements | Intervention Translation |
| 6.10D | TIP x OGE | Motor vehicle crashes | Seatbelts, fatigue prevention | Well servicing contractors, small businesses | Translation |
| 6.11A | TIP x PSS | Motor vehicle crashes | Collision as vehicle occupant (including fatigue as a risk factor) | Law enforcement, fire service and emergency medical service | Intervention Translation |
| 6.11B | TIP x PSS | Motor vehicle crashes | Struck-by on the side of the road | Fire service and EMS | Intervention Translation |
| 6.11C | TIP x PSS | Motor vehicle crashes | Struck-by on the side of the road | Law enforcement | Intervention Translation |
| 6.12A | TIP x PSS | Workplace violence | Assault and violent encounters, civil disturbances | Law enforcement | Intervention Translation |
| 6.12B | TIP x PSS | Workplace violence | Patient assault, bystander violence | Emergency medical service | Intervention Translation |
| 6.12C | TIP x PSS | Workplace violence | Violent encounters and daily interactions, bystander violence | Corrections | Intervention Translation |
| 6.13A | TIP x SRV | Falls | Falls on the same level | Building services, food services, waste management workers, and travel accommodations; small businesses; vulnerable and contingent workers | Intervention Translation |
| 6.13B | TIP x SRV | Falls | Falls to a lower level | Building services, small businesses, vulnerable and contingent workers | Intervention Translation |
| 6.14B | TIP x TWU | Transportation incidents | Develop evidence-based interventions (e.g., fleet management, administrative controls) | Truck drivers, bus and transit (e.g., taxi) drivers, aviation workers, maritime workers | Intervention Translation |
| 6.15B | TIP x TWU | Machine-related injuries | Machine-related injuries (e.g., caught-between, struck-by) | Aviation workers | Translation |
| 6.15D | TIP x TWU | Machine-related injuries | Use of stationary robots | Warehousing, utilities, and maritime workers | Surveillance Translation |
| 6.16A | TIP x WRT | Falls | Falls on the same level (e.g., caused by floor debris, spills, or slipperiness; organization of work) | Food and beverage, furniture and home furnishing, lumber, health and personal care, and general merchandise; aging workers, vulnerable workers | Intervention Translation |
| 6.16B | TIP x WRT | Falls | Falls to a lower level (e.g., associated with ladders; organization of work) | Merchant wholesalers of durable goods, motor vehicle and parts retailers, and health and personal care stores; vulnerable workers | Intervention Translation |
| 6.17A | TIP x WRT | Motor vehicle crashes | Motor vehicle crashes | Wholesale workers (long distance and local), small businesses | Intervention Translation |
Strategic Goal 7: Promote safe and healthy work design and well-being.
| Goal Number |
Program Intersection |
Goal Shorthand |
Research Focus |
Worker Population |
Research Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1B | HWD x CON | Non-standard work arrangements | Increase use of existing interventions among workers in non-standard work arrangements | Populations at disproportionate risk, small businesses | Translation |
| 7.11A | HWD x CON | Total Worker Health® | Work and non-work factors that contribute to worker safety, health, and well-being (i.e. Total Worker Health [TWH] approach) (e.g., substance misuse, tobacco use, shift work, fatigue, musculoskeletal health, heat stress) | All construction workers, especially vulnerable workers | Intervention |
| 7.11B | HWD x CON | Total Worker Health® | Improve data around risks to worker safety, health, and well-being | All construction workers, especially vulnerable workers | Surveillance research |
| 7.11C | HWD x CON | Total Worker Health® | Barriers and facilitators to implementing TWH research findings | All construction workers, especially vulnerable workers | Translation |
| 7.11D | HWD x CON | Total Worker Health® | Evaluate effectiveness and adoption of TWH polices, practices and programs | All construction workers, especially vulnerable workers | Intervention Translation |
| 7.12A | HWD x HSA | Total Worker Health® | Work and non-work factors that contribute to worker safety, health, and well-being (i.e. Total Worker Health [TWH] approach) (e.g., musculoskeletal health, shift scheduling and control, well-being) | Healthcare workers, especially low-wage healthcare support occupations (e.g., home health aides, dental assistants, pharmacy aides, veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers) | Intervention |
| 7.12B | HWD x HSA | Total Worker Health® | Indicators for use of TWH approaches and adverse outcomes that might be improved by TWH | Healthcare workers, especially low-wage healthcare support occupations (e.g., home health aides, dental assistants, pharmacy aides, veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers) | Surveillance research |
| 7.12C | HWD x HSA | Total Worker Health® | Barriers and facilitators to implementing TWH research findings | Healthcare workers, especially low-wage healthcare support occupations (e.g., home health aides, dental assistants, pharmacy aides, veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers) | Translation |
| 7.12D | HWD x HSA | Total Worker Health® | Evaluate effectiveness and adoption TWH polices, practices and programs | Healthcare workers, especially low-wage healthcare support occupations (e.g., home health aides, dental assistants, pharmacy aides, veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers) | Intervention Translation |
| 7.14A | HWD x PSS | Total Worker Health® | Work and non-work factors that contribute to worker safety, health, and well-being (i.e. Total Worker Health [TWH] approach) (e.g., fatigue, shift work, obesity, violence, stress) | Law enforcement, fire service, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), corrections and wildland fire subsectors | Intervention |
| 7.14B | HWD x PSS | Total Worker Health® | Improve data around risks to worker safety, health, and well-being | Law enforcement, fire service, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), corrections and wildland fire subsectors | Surveillance research |
| 7.14C | HWD x PSS | Total Worker Health® | Barriers and facilitators to implementing TWH research findings | Law enforcement, fire service, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), corrections and wildland fire subsectors | Translation |
| 7.14D | HWD x PSS | Total Worker Health® | Evaluate effectiveness and adoption of TWH polices, practices and programs | Law enforcement, fire service, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), corrections and wildland fire subsectors | Intervention Translation |
| 7.15A | HWD x SRV | Total Worker Health® | Work and non-work factors that contribute to worker safety, health, and well-being (i.e. Total Worker Health [TWH] approach) | Services workers, especially vulnerable workers and small businesses | Intervention |
| 7.15B | HWD x SRV | Total Worker Health® | Improve data around risks to worker safety, health, and well-being | Services workers, especially vulnerable workers and small businesses | Surveillance research |
| 7.15C | HWD x SRV | Total Worker Health® | Barriers and facilitators to implementing TWH research findings | Services workers, especially vulnerable workers and small businesses | Translation |
| 7.15D | HWD x SRV | Total Worker Health® | Evaluate the effectiveness, adoption, successful implementation, and sustainment of TWH polices, practices and programs | Services workers, especially vulnerable workers and small businesses | Intervention Translation |
| 7.16A | HWD x AFF | Precarious Employment Arrangements | Nature, prevalence, and impact of precarious employment arrangements | Foreign-born, migrant, or seasonal workers in agriculture, fishing, or seafood processing | Surveillance |
| 7.16B | HWD x AFF | Precarious Employment Arrangements | Interventions which address employer ambiguity, inadequate occupational safety and health training, and overlapping health disparities related to precarious employment arrangements | Foreign-born, migrant, or seasonal worker in agriculture, fishing, or seafood processing | Intervention |
| 7.17A | HWD x AFF | Work Organization, Fatigue, and Mental Health | Fatigue and sleep deprivation from long shifts over consecutive days, task-oriented fatigue | All AgFF sub-industries, especially disproportionally affected groups and small businesses | Intervention |
| 7.17B | HWD x AFF | Work Organization, Fatigue, and Mental Health | Heat stress | Outdoor workers in agriculture, forestry, or fishing | Translation |
| 7.17C | HWD x AFF | Work Organization, Fatigue, and Mental Health | Improve resiliency after exposure to traumatic and unpredictable events (climate change, workplace catastrophes, economic and policy issues, succession planning) and health disparities | All AgFF sub-industries, but especially disproportionally affected groups and small businesses | Intervention |
| 7.2A | HWD x HSA | Work organization | Fatigue and stress due to suboptimal work organization | Healthcare workers, veterinary medicine/animal care workers; vulnerable populations | Intervention Translation |
| 7.2C | HWD x HSA | Work organization | Fatigue, stress, work organization as risk factors for motor vehicle crashes during commutes and shifts | Residents, interns, and home healthcare workers; others with long hours/irregular schedules | Intervention Translation |
| 7.2E | HWD x HSA | Work organization | Safety culture/safety climate/safety leadership | Mid-to-small healthcare settings, nursing aides, home healthcare workers, management, VM/AC, other settings where poor adherence to safe practice has been documented | Intervention Translation |
| 7.5B | HWD x SRV | Non-standard work arrangements | Employer ambiguity, inadequate occupational safety and health training, and lack of programs | Temporary agency workers | Intervention Translation |
| 7.9B | HWD x WRT | Work organization and musculoskeletal disorders | Develop communication and training products | Food and beverage, and general merchandise | Translation |
*Click here for definitions of the research type(s) listed above and a list of acronyms and definitions for the NIOSH Sector Programs and NIOSH Cross-Sector Programs.