Monthly news and research findings from the Institute for Work & Health

IWH News

June 2020

Anxiety levels among health-care workers during pandemic tied to unmet PPE needs


Nearly six in 10 surveyed health-care workers in Canada reported anxiety at levels surpassing an accepted threshold for clinical screening for the condition. That’s according to a survey conducted in April during the pandemic by the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), with analytical support from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH). Early findings show workers who had personal protective equipment (PPE) needs that were unmet also reported higher levels of anxiety.


Read about the study

How IWH research is adapting to reflect COVID-19 context


Researchers are just beginning to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intersection between work and health. At the Institute, several ongoing projects are being adapted to reflect new pandemic realities.


Find out more

Five things we think you should know: findings from our recent OHS research


Every year, we pull together five of our most practical research findings from the past year for professionals in occupational health and safety (OHS). The 2020 edition of 5 Things We Think You Should Know is now available. What five key health and safety findings did we choose for you this year?


Get the findings

Review summary explores relationship between work and osteoarthritis


What work activities are associated with an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) in the knees, hips, spine and other joints? Findings from an IWH systematic review that asked this question—the first to include a wide range of joints affected by OA—are now summarized in our latest Sharing Best Evidence.


Read the summary

OCRC study finds link between McIntyre Powder and Parkinson’s disease


Ontario miners exposed to McIntyre Powder have a 30 per cent greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to miners who were not exposed. That’s according to a study by the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC), funded by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. The study also found that miners in general were at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s and motor neuron disease, although this was not associated with McIntyre Powder exposure.


Read about this study

PPE use and skin problems: resources compiled by CREOD


During the COVID-19 pandemic, health-care workers may experience an increase in skin problems related to the increased use of PPE. To help address the issue, the Centre for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease (CREOD) has created a list of journal articles relevant to PPE use and skin problems.


See the articles list

CRE-MSD and ACE launch webinar series


Ladder-related falls are common across many workplaces. In Canada, they account for 66 emergency room visits per 100,000 workers. On June 24, the first in a webinar series hosted by the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) and the Association of Canadian Ergonomists (ACE) examines ladder safety and injury prevention. Registration is required.


Find out more

For more information, please contact


Cindy Moser
Director of Communications
416-927-2027, ext. 2183
cmoser@iwh.on.ca

Uyen Vu
Communications Associate
613-979-7742
uvu@iwh.on.ca

IWH News is distributed monthly by the Institute for Work & Health, an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts and shares research to protect and improve the health and safety of working people.


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