At a glance
- NIOSH has identified a subset of the goals in the NIOSH Strategic Plan as priorities for extramural research.
- Applicants are encouraged to identify the goal(s) their project addresses as part of their application.
How it works
NIOSH research programs have identified research priorities and established goals in the NIOSH Strategic Plan: FYs 2019-2026. During this process, they also identified a subset of priority goals for extramural research listed on this page.
Extramural priorities are intended to help fill research gaps that are currently not being addressed by NIOSH intramural (or internal) research. Researchers are encouraged to consider these priorities as when they are first conceptualizing their project ideas. They are also encouraged to identify priority goals for extramural research as a part of their application.
For further guidance on selecting goals, watch the Selecting Goals for NIOSH Research Proposals webinar recording.
Goals
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 | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 1.9C | CRC x PSS | Exposure to carcinogens | Respiratory protection during overhaul operations | Fire service | Intervention |
| 1.10C | CRC x PSS | Risk factors for cardiovascular disease | Reduce known non-occupational risk factors | Corrections, law enforcement, EMS, and fire service | Intervention |
| 1.10D | CRC x PSS | Risk factors for cardiovascular disease | Respiratory and thermal protection, other interventions on fire ground | Fire service | Intervention Implementation |
| 1.12B | CRC x SRV | Adverse reproductive outcomes | Chemical exposures | Nail and hair salon workers, small businesses | Intervention |
| 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, Implementation |
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 |
| 2.2A | HLP x CON | Hearing loss prevention education for employers and workers | Fit testing (voluntary consensus standards, increasing availability) | Noise exposed workers | Implementation |
| 2.2B | HLP x CON | Hearing loss prevention education for employers and workers | Training and awareness (employers, supervisors and workers; apps) | Noise exposed workers, vulnerable workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 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) | Implementation |
| 2.6C | HLP x OGE | Exposure to hazardous noise and ototoxic chemicals | Effective use of personal protective equipment (PPE) | Drilling contractors, well servicing contractors, small businesses | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 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 | Implementation |
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 and climate) | Management, workers (human or veterinary settings) | Implementation |
| 3.3F | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Vaccinations are underutilized | All healthcare workers (esp. long-term care, home care), veterinary medicine and animal care workers | Implementation |
| 3.3G | IID x HSA | Infectious disease transmission | Handwashing best practices underused | All healthcare, veterinary medicine and animal care workers | Implementation |
| 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 veterinary medicine and animal care workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 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) | Implementation |
| 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 | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 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 |
| 3.8D | IID x HSA | Hazardous exposures and immune diseases | Identification of substances and the mechanism by which they cause immune suppression | Manufacturing workers with exposures (e.g., automotive, furniture, plastics, painting, printing, metalworking) | Basic/etiologic |
| 3.9D | IID x SRV | Hazardous exposures and immune diseases | Identification of substances and the mechanism by which they cause immune suppression | Service workers with exposures (e.g., personal care, food handling and preparation, building maintenance, office workers, education) | Basic/etiologic |
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, Implementation |
| 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; vulnerable workers | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 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 |
| 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, veterinary medicine and animal care workers | Implementaton |
| 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; veterinary medicine and animal care 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. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)) | Intervention, Implementation |
| 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) | Implementation |
| 5.2A | RHP x CON | Exposure to mineral dusts | Implementation of silica requirements (collection of objective data) | Small businesses, vulnerable workers | Implementation |
| 5.4C | RHP x HSA | Work-related asthma | Specialized exposures (i.e. surgical smoke, aerosolized medication) | Respiratory therapists, nurses, surgeons | Intervention |
| 5.8D | RHP x MIN | Exposure to mineral dusts | Coal dust engineering controls | Coal mine workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 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 | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 6.1H | TIP x AFF | Traumatic injury among high risk populations | Falls overboard and vessel disasters | Commercial fishing workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 6.1I | TIP x AFF | Traumatic injury among high risk populations | Falls (stairs & wet floors) | Seafood processing workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 6.2A | TIP x CON | Falls | Falls from elevation | Iron workers, sheet metal workers, roofers, power line installers, telecommunications workers, laborers, small businesses, vulnerable workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 6.2B | TIP x CON | Falls | Falls on the same level | All construction workers (especially laborers, small businesses, vulnerable workers) | Intervention, Implementation |
| 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 |
| 6.10D | TIP x OGE | Motor vehicle crashes | Seatbelts, fatigue prevention | Well servicing contractors, small businesses | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 6.11B | TIP x PSS | Motor vehicle crashes | Struck-by on the side of the road | Fire service and emergency medical service | Intervention, Implementation |
| 6.11C | TIP x PSS | Motor vehicle crashes | Struck-by on the side of the road | Law enforcement | Intervention, Implementation |
| 6.12A | TIP x PSS | Workplace violence | Assault and violent encounters, civil disturbances | Law enforcement | Intervention, Implementation |
| 6.12B | TIP x PSS | Workplace violence | Patient assault, bystander violence | Emergency medical service and fire service | Intervention, Implementation |
| 6.12C | TIP x PSS | Workplace violence | Violent encounters and daily interactions, bystander violence | Corrections | Intervention, Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 6.13B | TIP x SRV | Falls | Falls to a lower level | Building services, small businesses, vulnerable and contingent workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 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 |
| 6.15B | TIP x TWU | Machine-related injuries | Machine-related injuries (e.g., caught-between, struck-by) | Aviation workers | Implementation |
| 6.15D | TIP x TWU | Machine-related injuries | Use of stationary robots | Warehousing, utilities, and maritime workers | Surveillance, Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 6.17A | TIP x WRT | Motor vehicle crashes | Motor vehicle crashes | Wholesale workers (long distance and local), small businesses | Intervention, Implementation |
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 | Vulnerable workers, small businesses | Implementation |
| 7.2A | HWD x HSA | Work organization | Prevention of stress and related adverse health outcomes due to suboptimal work organization | Healthcare and social assistance workers; veterinary medicine/animal care workers; vulnerable populations | Intervention, Implementation |
| 7.2C | HWD x HSA | Work organization | Fatigue, stress, work organization as risk factors for traumatic injuries such as sharps injuries, motor vehicle crashes, and suicide | Residents, interns, and home healthcare workers; others with long hours/irregular schedules | Intervention, Implementation |
| 7.2E | HWD x HSA | Work organization | Safety culture/safety climate/safety leadership | Mid-to-small healthcare settings, nursing aides, home healthcare workers, management, veterinary medicine and animal care, other settings where poor adherence to safe practice has been documented | Intervention, Implementation |
| 7.5B | HWD x SRV | Non-standard work arrangements | Employer ambiguity, inadequate occupational safety and health training, and lack of programs | Contingent workers; young workers and other vulnerable populations | Intervention, Implementation |
| 7.9B | HWD x WRT | Work organization and musculoskeletal disorders | Develop communication and training products | Food and beverage, and general merchandise | Intervention |
| 7.10A | HWD x WRT | Non-standard work arrangements and vulnerable workers | Inadequate occupational safety and health training, and lack of OSH programs | Workers in non-standard work arrangements; young workers and other vulnerable workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 7.10B | HWD x WRT | Non-standard work arrangements and vulnerable workers | Characterizing workers in non-standard work arrangements, young workers and other vulnerable worker populations, as well as risk factors | Workers in non-standard work arrangements; young workers and other vulnerable workers | Surveillance |
| 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 |
| 7.11C | HWD x CON | Total Worker Health® | Barriers and facilitators to implementing TWH research findings | All construction workers, especially vulnerable workers | Implementation |
| 7.11D | HWD x CON | Total Worker Health® | Evaluate effectiveness and adoption of TWH policies, practices, and programs | All construction workers, especially vulnerable workers | Intervention, Implementation |
| 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 |
| 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) | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 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 |
| 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 | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 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 |
| 7.15C | HWD x SRV | Total Worker Health® | Barriers and facilitators to implementing TWH research findings | Services workers, especially vulnerable workers and small businesses | Implementation |
| 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, Implementation |
| 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 | Implementation |
| 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 |
Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health