NIOSH Introduces Science Blog to Expand Communication, Stimulate Discussions

Contact: Fred Blosser (202) 245-0633
November 5, 2007

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) introduced a new NIOSH Science Blog on Nov. 5, 2007, to further communicate – and stimulate discussion on – scientific issues related to NIOSH’s research and recommendations.

The blog or web log at www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/ is intended as a new way to help NIOSH fulfill its mission of translating research into practice for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. It is designed to provide an expeditious system for partners and stakeholders to present ideas to NIOSH scientists and each other, while engaging in robust scientific discussion with the goal of protecting workers.

“It is increasingly clear that the ‘new media’such as blogs are essential ways for expanding NIOSH’s communications to reach as broad an audience as possible,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “We encourage our partners, colleagues, stakeholders, and anyone else interested in occupational safety, health, and science to visit the new NIOSH Science Blog and contribute any questions and comments they may have.”

Each entry in the NIOSH Science Blog will highlight a specific NIOSH scientific publication, study, or research area. The inaugural entry on Nov. 5 focuses on the recent NIOSH Alert on preventing fire fighter fatalities from heart attacks and other cardiovascular events. A link at the end of the blog provides a way for readers to submit comments.

The NIOSH Science Blog is the most recent example of NIOSH’s long history of using the latest technologies and methods for communicating its research and providing access to stakeholders, including a toll-free telephone information number introduced in the 1980s, the NIOSH web page introduced in the 1990s, and NIOSH eNews, a monthly electronic newsletter now in its fifth year. Other recent examples include contribution of relevant information to the Wikipedia and the posting of NIOSH informational and educational videos on You Tube.

NIOSH is the federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing occupational injury, illness, and death. More information on NIOSH, call toll-free 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or visit the NIOSH web page at www.cdc.gov/niosh/.