The University of Iowa Healthier Workforce Center for Excellence (HWCE) was built upon extensive investigator experience in occupational health, ergonomics, injury prevention, preventive medicine, and health promotion.  The HWCE was designed to improve our understanding of effective, integrated employee health programs and to translate this evidence base into practice for the benefit of employed populations.

Current Initiatives

• UI_HNI Ergonomics Study

Center Goals

Goal 1:  To examine the relationships among predictors for absenteeism, work-related injury, workers’ compensation claims, healthcare expenditures, and overall health.

Goal 2:  To implement, evaluate, and compare two integrated health protection/health promotion models for the private and public sectors:

1. An intervention based around an integrated worker safety/health promotion committee; and
2. An intervention using a health counselor to integrate the delivery of health protection and health promotion services in a public sector setting.

Goal 3:  To establish a learning network of interactive partnerships with employers, employee groups including unions, and health care organizations.

Contact Information

Director:  James Merchant
Deputy Director:  Fredric Gerr

For general information related to the UI Healthier Workforce Center for Excellence, please contact Kathy Andrews at kathryn-andrews@uiowa.edu or (319) 384-8416.

For information related to the HNI Ergonomics Study, please contact Dr. Fred Gerr at fred-gerr@uiowa.edu or (319) 335-4212 or Linda Merlino at linda-merlino@uiowa.edu or (319) 335-4618.

For information related to the Using a Health Counselor to Integrate the Delivery of Health Protection and Health Promotion Services Study, please contact Dr. Linda Snetselaar at linda-snetselaar@uiowa.edu or (319) 384-5011 or Lois Ahrens at lois-ahrens@uiowa.edu or (319) 384-5044.