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Abstract

A report by a working group under the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) outlines areas of new research that will have the greatest impact for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the next decade. The report is based on input by more than 200 representatives from industry, labor, and other sectors. According to the report, surveillance research is needed to identify trends, develop strategies for preventing injuries, and evaluate the effectiveness of those strategies. Etiologic and medical research is needed to identify risk factors for job-related musculoskeletal disorders, including biomechanical factors such as intensity and frequency of exposure, work-organization factors, and personal variables such as an individual's size, strength, and history of injury. Intervention research is needed to evaluate new and existing strategies for preventing or reducing the incidence, severity, and disability associated with job-related musculoskeletal disorders. The report also provides information about how to improve the research process. The report, titled “Research Topics for the Next Decade: A Report by the NORA Musculoskeletal Disorders Team,” [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2001–117] is available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

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The National Occupational Research Agenda for Musculoskeletal Disorders: An Overview

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