NIOSH conference to explore strategies for older workers

Jan 23, 2009

NIOSH is among the sponsors of a national conference that will address the occupational health and safety needs of the aging U.S. workforce.

NIOSH Acting Director Christine Branche said the goal of the conference, scheduled for Feb. 17-18 in Washington, is to develop research strategies to help keep older workers "healthy, robust and thriving" throughout the century. This includes understanding policy and program needs and research gaps to reduce the impact of chronic diseases, understanding workplace programs and policies that reduce the adverse impact of work-related risks, and developing near-term intervention strategies for preventing work-related injury and illness.

The 45-and-older population in the United States, currently at 93 million, is projected to grow to more than 170 million by 2050.