For the Researcher

Healthier Workforce Learning Network

The Healthier Workforce Learning Network utilizes state-of-the-art communications technology and established "e-learning" educational practices, to provide cost-effective dissemination of information about those approaches to integrated health promotion/health protection which are most likely to be widely adopted and sustsained by various sectors and organizaitons. The specific aims have been:

1. To integrate dissemination components into the design and implementation of the two research projects;

2. To provide the technical training and support necessary to use internet-based shared-desktop-plus-audio communications technology to organize, implement, and document activities;

3. To identify and describe both the core and adaptive components of integrated health promotion/ health protection programs; and

4. To use both traditional channels and a new internet-based learning network to translate and deliver new research findings and other relevant research, to students, to practicing professionals in the public and private sectors, to labor organizations, and to other investigators.

Dissemination components have been integrated into the Center’s two major research projects and staff members have been trained and supported in using the communications technology to “organize, implement, and document activities.” Now that both projects are fully underway, core and adaptive components of the two programs are being identified.

Utilizing the shared-desktop-plus-audio communications technology, web-based seminars have been conducted. These seminars have covered a variety of occupational health-related topics. A number of these presentations originate from other institutions around the US as well as from the University of Iowa. In addition to the 20-25 attendees physically located at the University of Iowa, seven remote sites (on average) connect to these sessions and allow all participants to engage in questions and discussions. The following web-conference seminars have been conducted:    

• US Surveillance Systems for Agricultural Illnesses and Injuries
  Geoffrey McCall Calvert, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., NIOSH

• Field-Portable Techniques for Monitoring Toxic Metals in Workplaces
  Kevin Ashley, Ph.D., NIOSH

• Strategies for Increasing Hearing Protector Use Among Farmers
  Marjorie McCullagh, PhD, APRN, BC, COHN-S, North Dakota State University

• The National Land Grant Agenda for Agricultural Safety and Health
  Dennis J. Murphy, PhD

• Human Exposures to Diesel and Cardiopulmonary Disease
  Christopher Carlsten, M.D., M.P.H., University of Washington

• Occupational Exposure to Horses and Risk of Equine Influenza
  Kerry Leedom Larson, DVM, MPH

• Determination of Relation Between Actual Contact Force at Hand/Glove Interface and Actual Grasp Force
  Dr. Ram Bishu, University of Nebraska

• The Effectiveness of Exercise and Naps as Countermeasures to Night Shift and Post Shift Sleepiness
  Dr. Barbara Hobbs, South Dakota State University

The communications technology was used to web-cast and record the Worklife Center for Excellence Iowa Stakeholder Conference held in Iowa City. Recordings of all these seminars and presentations are being catalogued by keyword and will be available on our Recorded Conferences and Seminars page.