Trusted research, with reach and impact
The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) is an independent, multidisciplinary, not-for-profit research organization located in Ontario, Canada. IWH conducts and mobilizes research that supports policy-makers, employers and workers in creating healthy, safe and inclusive work environments.
Latest news & findings
IWH Speaker Series: How new businesses get their start in workplace health and safety
When do new business owners first turn their attention to occupational health and safety (OHS) concerns? What challenges do they encounter as they set up their OHS programs? Where do they look for OHS information and when is the best time for them to receive that information? On April 21, Dr. Lynda Robson shares findings from a study that examines how new businesses in Ontario get their start in workplace health and safety.
Fatal drug overdoses more common among lower-income and unemployed Canadians
Canada is facing a growing drug toxicity crisis. A new IWH study looked at how sociodemographic factors measured by the Canadian census were linked with drug overdose deaths. The researchers found that deaths were highest among those with the lowest income, those who were unemployed or out of the labour force, and those without a high school degree.
PTSI treatment program delivers benefits for first responders, but no change in return-to-work rates
First responders face high rates of post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) due to the nature of their jobs. In response, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board commissioned treatment program tailored to these workers. A multi-part evaluation of the program, conducted in part by IWH, has found that participants did not show improvements in return-to-work rates. However, participants did see other benefits.
IWH Speaker Series
Learn directly from IWH researchers themselves about their latest findings in health, safety and disability prevention. Coming up next:
How new businesses get their start in workplace health and safety: implications for research and policy
Presented by Lynda Robson.
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 11:00AM EST
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Tools and guides
Integrate evidence-based policies and practices into your occupational health and safety, return-to-work and rehabilitation programs. IWH has created a number of tools and guides based on our research findings that can help improve program outcomes.
Impact case studies
Find out how IWH research is making a difference. Read our impact case studies, in which policy-makers, workplaces and other stakeholders in health, safety and disability prevention tell how IWH research helped improve their policies, programs and practices.
Research summaries
Whether it’s a policy briefing, a systematic review summary or the highlights of a specific research project, we’ve compiled a number of plain-language summaries to help you understand the research we’re doing, what we have found, and how we found it.