Plain-language summaries
Institute for Work & Health (IWH) plain-language summaries condense research findings in various formats. At Work articles explain study results with comments from the study leads. Research Highlights summarize journal articles in easy-to-read, digest formats. Sharing Best Evidence summaries highlight findings from systematic reviews and other types of reviews conducted or led by IWH researchers. Issue Briefings discuss key research findings from IWH or elsewhere on topics that are of particular interest to policy-makers.
At Work article
Supporting settlement agencies to raise OHS awareness among newcomers
A collaboration involving IWH highlights need to fill important knowledge gap in the settlement services sector
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Research Highlights
Physical activity levels and work factors over 12 years
Over a 12-year-period, Canadians whose jobs became more physically or mentally demanding became slightly less likely to exercise more. They were also slightly less likely to exercise more when working long hours or working in jobs that offered them little say in how to use their skills.
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At Work article
At-work use of cannabis reported by 1 in 12 workers—no change since legalization
In follow-up study of cannabis use before and after legalization in Canada, IWH research team found a rise in casual use, but no increase in at-work or daily use
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Research Highlights
Access to mental health treatment among workers with physical injuries
Among workers with a compensation claim for a work-related musculoskeletal injury, 30 per cent also experience a serious mental condition. However, a minority of these workers receive treatment for their mental health conditions, according to an IWH study conducted in Australia.
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Research Highlights
Exploring the health and safety risks facing ride-share drivers
Ride-share drivers face physical and mental health risks that are not only similar to, but also distinct from, those of taxi drivers. Beyond the risks experienced by taxi drivers, ride-share drivers face stressors unique to this form of work.
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Research Highlights
Examining communication and collaboration barriers among health and case management professionals
Communication barriers between health-care providers and case managers appear to stem from differences in communication styles, professional priorities and philosophical perspectives about the timing and appropriateness of return to work. Barriers exist even among practitioners of different health disciplines.
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At Work article
Poorer post-injury experiences lead to worse RTW outcomes for psychological claimants
IWH’s 12-month follow-up study of injured workers in Australia found many interconnected differences in return-to-work process for physical and psychological claimants
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At Work article
Can an eight-item questionnaire pick up on real-world differences in OHS practice?
Study of IWH-OPM finds consistent differences in how high and medium scorers approach health and safety
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At Work article
Estimating the societal costs of work injuries and illnesses in five EU countries
New economic burden method developed by IWH used to estimate the value of OHS to workers, employers, society at large
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Sharing Best Evidence
What workplace interventions help workers with MSDs, pain and mental health conditions return to work?
This update of a previous systematic review sets out to find workplace-based interventions that are effective in helping workers with musculoskeletal, pain-related and/or mental health conditions return to work.
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At Work article
Employers certified by COR programs have greater reduction in injury rates: studies
Firms in B.C.’s, Alberta’s Certificate of Recognition programs have 12 to 14 per cent greater reduction
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At Work article
Claimants’ perceptions of fair treatment linked to lower odds of poor mental health
IWH study found claimants who said case managers treated them with dignity, and gave them needed information, had lower risks of psychological distress
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At Work article
Program raised workplace mental health awareness, but not likelihood of policy
A Thunder Bay community-based program led to greater employer knowledge of mental health issues, but little changes on the ground, finds researcher
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At Work article
Addressing communication issues faced by supervisors, case managers key to well-run RTW process
IWH study of disability management in large, complex organizations focuses on communication bottlenecks experienced by supervisors, case managers
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At Work article
Understanding employment patterns among older workers in four countries
Study finds relationships among education level, disability, work participation not always as expected
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Research Highlights
Comparing the retirement expectations of older workers with and without chronic conditions
Workers with arthritis and diabetes, despite their health difficulties, have similar retirement plans as their healthy peers. Yet workers with chronic conditions are more likely than their healthy peers to report having retired previously and returned to work, often in part-time positions.
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At Work article
Psychosocial work conditions linked with both positive and negative mental health
Institute for Work & Health study finds greater job control, job security and social support are linked to lower risks of mental illness and greater likelihood of flourishing mental well-being
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At Work article
Despite pain and fatigue, older workers with chronic conditions want to work to age 65
IWH study of retirement expectations finds boomers with health issues have same plans as healthy peers
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At Work article
Review confirms prevention system’s message about injury risks and new workers
IWH systematic review finds evidence for higher risks of acute injuries, but inconclusive evidence for MSD risks, during workers’ first year
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