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.

A man kneels as he works with decking boards on a patio
Sharing Best Evidence

Work activities and the development of osteoarthritis in men and women

A systematic review by the Institute for Work & Health finds strong and moderate evidence that work exposures—including lifting, cumulative physical loads, full-body vibration and kneeling/squatting/bending—can increase the risks of osteoarthritis in men and women. No increased risk was found for sitting, standing and walking (hip and knee osteoarthritis); lifting and carrying (knee osteoarthritis); climbing ladders (knee osteoarthritis); driving (knee osteoarthritis); and highly repetitive tasks (hand osteoarthritis).
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A health-care worker wearing a face mask and body covering
At Work article

Anxiety levels among health-care workers during COVID-19 linked to inadequate PPE

Study by OHCOW, with IWH support, draws on survey of 4,000 workers during April 2020
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Illustration of bar graphs, line graphs and a coronavirus
At Work article

What research can do: How IWH research is responding to COVID-19

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A roomful of people listen intently to workshop presenter
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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Close-up of a faceless jogger, lacing up her running shoes
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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A close-up of a man's hand, holding a joint
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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Close-up of two pairs of hands, belong to a counsellor and a patient sitting on a couch
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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A young man behind the wheel of a car checks his smartphone
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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A tangled telephone cord
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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blurry silhouettes of two colleagues talking
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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A hard hat, placed next to a check list, against a black background
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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Close-up of Euro bill and map of Europe
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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Japanese craftsperson stands in front of his workstation, smiling
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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A form being filled out, next to a stack of binders and a safety helmet
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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Wooden blocks spell out the words 'fair,' and 'yes or no?'
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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A roomful of working adults listen to a presenter
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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A drawing of a man pulling on the cork stopper off a bottle
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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A large group of seniors looking at camera
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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Two workers at a window shutters manufacturing shop floor
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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Two workers at a window shutters manufacturing shop floor
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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