At a glance
In this edition, we say goodbye to a pioneer and champion of the Total Worker Health approach. Don't miss his farewell letter! We also feature free continuing education opportunities, new resources for occupational safety and health professionals, and an important call for proposals.
Exclusive
A letter from L. Casey Chosewood, MD, MPH
After 21 years of federal service, I will retire at the end of 2024. I started my career at CDC as the Medical Director of CDC's Occupational Health Clinics before leading the Office of Health and Safety. But for the last 15 years, I have been with NIOSH. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have shared the Total Worker Health journey with each of you. My mentor and dear friend Dr. John Howard coined the now iconic phrase Total Worker Health (TWH) and has been incredibly inspirational and supportive as we worked to advance his vision for this field. During this time, our NIOSH TWH family has made great strides. Collectively, we have worked to introduce, shape, evolve, and share a new approach to occupational safety and health (OSH). I'm especially proud of our team's accomplishments:
- Shaped the new academic and applied discipline within the field of OSH now known internationally as TWH
- Shepherded 10 strong, academic Centers of Excellence for TWH whose dedicated faculty and students have collectively published more than one thousand peer reviewed publications, shaping the field of TWH
- Inspired the launch of a burgeoning society of TWH professionals, now with nearly 300 members
- Edited and published a textbook now widely used in certificate and degree programs
- Developed, validated, and promoted the first ever comprehensive measure of worker wellbeing, the NIOSH Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (WellBQ)
- Convened a series of international symposia and conferences bringing together thousands of visionary leaders from dozens of professional disciplines
- Launched a continuing education platform for physicians, nurses, and other OSH professionals, providing thousands of hours of practical training
- Grew a network of more than 60 TWH Affiliates all dedicated to advancing, field testing and promoting this effort
These efforts reflect the courageous, pioneering spirit and bold dedication of our core team. This group of NIOSH scientists, communicators, and others who have moved this field from its nascent beginnings to its wide acceptance today as a standard of OSH practice. None of this would have happened without their expertise and stamina.
I leave the TWH ethos, spirit, and commitment to the future in great hands. A final thanks to our TWH team, our Centers of Excellence and Affiliates, and to each of you who work tirelessly each day to keep workers safer and healthier the world over.
Personnel announcement
Our friend and colleague Dr. Casey Chosewood will be retiring after 21 years of federal service. Dr. Chosewood is the Associate Director for Strategic Priorities, and Director of the Office for TWH. During his tenure, Dr. Chosewood has continuously sought to build evidence, translate knowledge into practice and leverage partnerships to improve workplaces and protect and promote the safety, health and well-being of workers. He has been a champion for worker well-being, mental health, and the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder.
As part of the transition, Rashaun Roberts, Ph.D., has been appointed Associate Director of NIOSH's new Office of Strategic Partnership. Under Dr. Roberts's leadership, the Office of Strategic Partnership will continue to coordinate the TWH portfolio. Dr. Roberts received bachelor's degrees in psychology and economics from Stanford University, and master's and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from Case Western Reserve University. She completed a pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology at Emory University and a post-doctoral fellowship in occupational and environmental medicine at Duke University.
Dr. Roberts began her career at NIOSH in 2002. She has been a principal and co-investigator on a wide range of work organization and stress projects, along with TWH projects. Throughout her NIOSH career, Dr. Roberts has served in multiple leadership roles. She has forged many partnerships with NIOSH and CDC collaborators as well as other agencies, academia, industry, labor, and safety organizations.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Roberts on her new role! We also thank Dr. Chosewood for his significant contributions to NIOSH and the health and well-being of workers across the nation.
News
Free continuing education opportunity
Free continuing education is available for two webinars hosted in October for Work and Family Month. Learn how employers can support a sustainable work-nonwork interface for families through healthy work design and equity-focused public policy:
- Designing Workplaces That Value Worker and Family Well-being, Now and Beyond
- Public Policy and Employer Support to Improve Family Health and Well-being
Guide to prevent opioid use disorder in the mining industry
NIOSH and the Mine Safety and Health Administration released a publication titled Implementing Effective Workplace Solutions to Prevent Opioid Use Disorder: A Resource Guide for the Mining Industry. This guidance will help employers assess, plan, and begin interventions aimed to prevent and address harmful opioid use among miners. It highlights promising practices aligned with a TWH approach to assist prevention efforts in the mining industry.
Mental health in the workplace report
Mental Health America released its seventh annual Mind the Workplace 2024 Report: Healthy Workplaces Lead With Trust and Support. The report explores how business leaders can integrate mental health into their workplace's infrastructure and culture with healthy employer practices.
NIOSH convenes TWH Affiliate colloquium
In October, 63 members of the Affiliate network met for the sixth NIOSH TWH Affiliates colloquium, which meets every two years. The Affiliates shared promising practices, challenges, emerging issues, and lessons learned in researching TWH approaches and putting them into practice. The network plans to meet more often to identify opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving, and learning. Contact TWH@cdc.gov if your organization is interested in becoming an Affiliate.
Occupational health and safety micro-credential
Northern Kentucky University now offers a virtual three-course micro-credential in Occupational Health and Safety. The curriculum's design helps students recognize, investigate, and diagnose health and safety issues in the workplace.
If you can attend courses on campus, you can complete three additional courses to earn a certificate in TWH. Contact Dr. Philip Moberg at mobergp1@nku.edu for additional information.
Oregon Healthy Workforce Center launches new webinar series
The Oregon Healthy Workforce Center, a Center of Excellence for TWH, launched a new webinar series called Working Well. The series highlights unique and shared challenges impacting workers across industries. The Center holds the webinars on the third Tuesday of alternating months and posts the recordings. The first webinar from the series on protecting workers from extreme heat and poor air quality is now available.
Welcoming new NIOSH TWH Affiliate
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
The USPTO is the federal agency that registers trademarks and grants U.S. patents. It stands at the forefront of the nation's technological progress, serving as a mechanism to protect new ideas and investment in innovation and creativity.
Mark your calendars
TWH symposium proposals due December 20
Proposals are being accepted for the 4th International Symposium to Advance TWH, which will meet October 21–24, 2025, in Bethesda, Maryland. Submit your proposal by December 20 at 11:59 p.m. (MST)/1:59 a.m. (EST).
Symposium organizers welcome proposals for in-person presentations on a variety of topics related to TWH. Review the proposal guidelines to learn more.
Add to your reading list
Check out the latest NIOSH Science Blogs and articles featuring TWH research:
Get into the holiday spirit
Need a little help getting into the holiday spirit? Stay safe and healthy this season with these holiday inspired blogs!
Did you know?
Stay connected
Connect your calendar
Find more events on the Society for TWH Events webpage.
Connect with us
Follow us on social media @NIOSH_TWH, visit our website, or email us at TWH@cdc.gov.
Connect with our partners
Stay up to date on the research and events happening at the Centers of Excellence for TWH:
About this newsletter
Editorial & Production Team
Executive Editor
L. Casey Chosewood, MD, MPH
Managing Editor
Emily Kirby
Copy Editor
Cheryl Hamilton
Total Worker Health® in Action! is the quarterly newsletter published by the NIOSH Total Worker Health Program.
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