Preventing chronic illness and disability in the workplace vis-à-vis the Total Worker Health Approach

Katia M. Costa Black, PT, PhD, Oregon Health & Science University

In 2011, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health launched the Total Worker Health (TWH) program to advance research to practice implementation of integrated workplace solutions for health, safety, and well-being. This presentation will highlight how combining disease/disability prevention and management with promotion of workplace health, ultimately results in work retention, work-life satisfaction, and other outcomes that will benefit organizations and employees in the long term. This session will delve into several case studies that explain why and when the TWH approach has been successful, and attendees will have an opportunity to discuss how the current workers’ compensation system may facilitate or hinder the implementation of a TWH approach.