CPH-NEW Newsletter
January 2019
CPH-NEW Partners with MA Department of Public Health to Study Opioids and Work

A recent MA DPH report showed a link between opioid overdose fatalities and certain occupations in Massachusetts. In response, CPH-NEW conducted a qualitative study, Opioids and Work, to explore possible ways to develop worker oriented prevention strategies.  

Eighteen interviews with key informants to gather perspectives on existing employer based programs addressing opioid awareness, the relationship between work and opioid use; medical care for injured workers; substance use disorder treatment for workers; and challenges and opportunities for prevention of opioid dependence, addiction and overdose among workers.
   
Access the report of findings on the CPH-NEW Related Research website.
Awards and Recognition 

Laura Punnett, Sc.D. presented, "Working conditions in healthcare correlate with patient safety" at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee on clinician well-being on Tuesday November 28, 2018 in Washington DC. Read about the expert meeting in this news story covered by MedScape Medical News.
 
William Shaw, PhD received a recent grant award with the CT Department of Labor to address growing work disability in the state of Connecticut. The project will establish a new coordinated effort among several state agencies and organizations including health care providers and insurers to improve long-term return-to-work and stay-at-work outcomes for workers with musculoskeletal concerns.

Learn more about the RETAIN-CT project on the CPH-NEW Related Research website.  
 
Susan Reisine, PhD, CPH-NEW Research Affiliate and professor emerita of the School of Dental Medicine at UConn Health, was named 2018 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr. Reisine has been recognized for her distinguished contributions to the field of psychosocial outcomes of oral disease, specifically on social functioning, quality of life and behavioral issues, and health disparities. Her research is unique in its interdisciplinary focus on the intersection of oral health and broader health and social welfare outcomes. Read more about Dr. Reisine's recognition on the UConn Today website. 
 
Continuing Education Programs

CPH-NEW offers two online continuing education programs for healthcare professionals: Ergonomics in Healthcare and Job Stress. These programs were developed by faculty at the University of Massachusetts Lowell departments of Public Health and Nursing. 
 
Both programs are self-paced, free, and meet the requirement for 4 or 5 contact hours. 
 SAVE THE DATE
3rd National Symposium on Corrections Worker Health
 
August 1, 2019, Boston, MA  

The Symposium will bring together correctional leaders, industry practitioners, labor, and researchers to discuss solutions and collaboration possibilities to improve correctional worker health and well-being.

Visit the Corrections Officer Health Resource page for information about prior national symposia events and to get registration information for 2019.  
Recent Publications


Correction Workers' Burnout and Outcomes: A Bayesian Network Approach. (2019) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.


Knee pain in nursing home workers after implementation of a safe resident handling program.
(2018) American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
 
 
CPH-News and Views Issues 
   
Issue #58: Lobstermen participate in ergonomics research on breaking down traps to reduce risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders 
 
Issue #59: Protecting Workers from Heat: A Total Worker Health® Challenge
 
Issue #60: Facilitating Early Return-to-Work After Musculoskeletal Conditions: A System-Level Pilot Intervention Program (RETAIN) in Connecticut

To view all CPH-NEW articles, visit CPH-NEW publications page. 
   
Visit our website for a complete list of  News and Views issues, Research, and  Total Worker Health for Employers.