Traumatic Injury Prevention Program

NIOSH understands that external expert review is one of the most valid and accepted methods of evaluating research programs. For this reason, NIOSH requested that the National Academies evaluate a group of NIOSH research programs with respect to their impact, relevance, and future directions. The National Academies was asked to evaluate what NIOSH research programs are producing and to determine the extent to which NIOSH research may be responsible for changes in the workplace that reduce the risk of occupational injuries, illnesses, and deaths. More information is available at the National Academies Evaluation of NIOSH Research Programs page, and a timeline of the evaluation for The Traumatic Injury Prevention Program is below.

In 2007, The National Academies evaluated the Traumatic Injury Prevention Program’s impact, relevance, and future directions for the time period 1996-2005. The National Academies published a report, which showed the Traumatic Injury Prevention Program’s efforts aligned with priority areas, and demonstrated effects on some end outcomes or well accepted intermediate outcomes, and provided recommendations for future enhancements. The evaluation resulted in scores of 4 out of 5 for both Relevance and Impact.

In response to the National Academies recommendations, the NIOSH Traumatic Injury Steering Committee developed an implementation plan with input from the NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC). In 2012, the BSC scored the Traumatic Injury Prevention Program’s progress against a set of National Academies’ recommendations in the areas of Relevance, Sustainability, Progress, and Potential for Impact. The summary score was 4.4. Progress was scored again in the same areas in 2014, and the Traumatic Injury Prevention Program received a summary score of 4.7.

Beyond the Program Review, the National Academies recently launched a study, “Developing a Smarter National Surveillance System for Occupational Safety and Health in the 21^st Century,” which is co-sponsored by NIOSH, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Surveillance, a component of the Traumatic Injury Prevention Program, is part of this review study. More information is available on the Study in Progress page.

The Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) is a part of the Traumatic Injury Prevention and Cancer, Reproductive Health, and Cardiovascular Diseases Programs. Over the years, the FFFIPP has sought and used both formal program reviews and stakeholder input to make changes that reflect our ongoing experience with the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program; evolving knowledge about factors that put fire fighters at risk of injury and death; and work with fire service and safety partners to identify new needs. For more information, see Our Work, Reviewed page.

NIOSH’s Center for Motor Vehicle Safety (CMVS) held a public web meeting in September 2016. The purpose of the meeting was to obtain feedback about the Program’s progress in addressing goals outlined in the Center’s 5-year strategic plan, meeting audience needs, and working effectively toward its overarching purpose of preventing work-related crashes and injuries. Results of the midcourse review are now available.