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.

Research Highlights

Women, young workers, minorities are more likely to be “underemployed”

Some social groups are more likely than others to be affected negatively by changes in the labour market. What's more, these groups are also more susceptible to negative health effects of the insecurities that arise with these changes.
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Close-up of hard hats on shelves
Sharing Best Evidence

Is it worthwhile investing in health and safety programs?

Before employers invest in workplace health and safety interventions, they want to know the financial implications of their investment. The goal of this review was to explore whether such interventions are worthwhile from an economic point of view.
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Research Highlights

Some tasks put carpenters at higher risk for low-back pain

According to the first ergonomic analysis of job tasks in residential carpentry, some tasks put carpenters at significant risk of injury to the low back. First among them is standing or framing walls.
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Research Highlights

Do chiropractors recommend back radiographs too frequently?

Compared to trainees, practising chiropractors use radiography more often. Reasons include attendance at seminars or courses encouraging radiography use, financial pressures or fear of malpractice.
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At Work article

Health, safety partners make MSD prevention a priority

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At Work article

Reviews show ergonomics’ role in MSD prevention

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At Work article

Centre links MSD researchers from many disciplines

The number of researchers studying the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is limited. This is why one goal of the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD)* is to strengthen collaborations in this field. IWH scientists are involved with several projects co-ordinated through the centre.
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At Work article

Doctors’ network promotes back pain evidence among peers

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At Work article

What works to reduce the burden of workplace MSDs?

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At Work article

IWH research adds to body of knowledge on MSDs

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A faceless picture of five young people
Sharing Best Evidence

Summary of a systematic review of factors associated with occupational disease among young people

Young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries, and as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. This systematic review takes a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured.
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At Work article

Scientist-worker alliance to study work injury

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At Work article

Understanding workplace needs shapes IWH’s research agenda

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At Work article

Four roundtables, 50 voices: Moving from research evidence to action

The Institute and the Research Secretariat of Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) organize a series of Roundtables to identify common research needs and to discuss better ways to cultivate the researcher and decision-maker relationship.
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At Work article

Our partners provide important guidance to systematic reviews

Practitioners bring their expertise to the table and provide important feedback at several stages of the systematic review process.
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At Work article

New centre aims to improve return-to-work outcomes

The newly-opened Centre for Research Expertise in Improving Disability Outcomes (CREIDO) will focus on the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic MSK pain and disability.
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At Work article

Young worker injury – it’s the job that matters

In terms of injury risk, the type of job or workplace matters more than the nature of the young workers themselves.
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At Work article

Systematic reviews now under one umbrella

Recently, the Institute consolidated its various review activities into a new Systematic Reviews Program, with special emphasis on preventive interventions in the workplace and with a new emphasis on consulting stakeholders.
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At Work article

Institute scientists define and track precarious employment in Canada

Dr. Emile Tompa talks about how precarious employment can affect workers' health and well-being
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