Prevention through Design Program

Program Goals

A key leadership role for the Prevention through Design program is the development of goals for Prevention through Design. The Prevention through Design program is in the process of developing goals to guide NIOSH research and partnership efforts over the next decade.

NIOSH Program Portfolio Approach

NIOSH organizes its research, guidance, information, and service efforts into specific programs that can be readily communicated and strategically governed and evaluated. Ten sector programs represent industrial sectors, and seven cross-sector programs are organized around health and safety outcomes. There are also numerous core and specialty programs that represent special emphasis areas, methodological approaches, core activities and legislatively mandated programs.

The sector programs intersect with cross-sector programs in a matrix-like fashion, with relevant core and specialty programs playing a supporting role. For example, an Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program goal of reducing farm-related deaths and injuries due to tractor rollovers and trucks would likely be a shared goal with the Traumatic Injury Prevention Program and if appropriate would be adopted by both programs. This approach provides an added advantage and will allow multiple Programs to work towards accomplishment of intersecting NIOSH goals.

Below are the current goals for the Nation developed during the second decade of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA).

Prevention through Design Program Strategic Goals for Intramural Research

• Strategic Goal 1 (Research): Research will establish the value of adopted PtD interventions, address existing design-related challenges, and suggest areas for future research.
• Strategic Goal 2 (Education): Designers, engineers, machinery and equipment manufacturers, health and safety (H&S) professionals, business leaders, and workers understand PtD methods and apply this knowledge and skills to the design and redesign of new and existing facilities, processes, equipment, tools, and organization of work.
• Strategic Goal 3 (Practice): Stakeholders access, share, and apply successful PtD practices.
• Strategic Goal 4 (Policy): Business leaders, labor, academics, government entities and standard-developing and setting organizations endorse a culture that includes PtD principles in all designs affecting workers.

To learn more, a full report containing the goals and narrative in PDF format is available, titled Prevention through Design Plan for the National Initiative – November 2010

Those seeking NIOSH grants to conduct studies related to Prevention through Design are invited to view the current funding opportunities.