IMMUNE, DERMAL AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Outcomes are events, occurrences, or conditions that indicate progress in achieving the purpose of the program. Outcomes reflect the results of a program activity compared with its intended purpose; or, outcomes may answer the question "Will these resources result in success or contribute to the success of what we want to accomplish?"
Outcomes can be viewed from two different perspectives--ultimate and intermediate. For an occupational safety and health research program like the NIOSH Immune, Dermal & Infectious Diseases Program, ultimate outcomes are reductions in a particular type of worker injury or illness. Injuries and illnesses have complex causes, and any effect of program activities on rates can take years to be seen. Therefore, outcomes are often measured on an intermediate timeframe. Intermediate outcomes are necessary steps that lead to ultimate outcomes--for example, reductions in the risk of a particular type of injury or illness. For occupational safety and health research programs, achieving intermediate risk reductions is as important as achieving the ultimate outcome of decreasing injury and illness incidence rates.
Contribute to the reduction of immune abnormalities associated with workplace exposures.
Intermediate Goal 1: Contribute to the advancement of knowledge regarding the impact of occupational exposures to chemicals or biological agents on normal immune function.
This goal will be monitored by the increased identification of immunological hazards encountered in the workplace. Evaluation of these compounds will allow for better risk assessment which will ultimately establish occupational exposure limits. Expansions of the immunological database for human exposure to chemicals in the workplace and the development and publication of NIOSH guidance documents and materials will help to educate exposed workers and the general public.
Intermediate Goal 2: Contribute to understanding and elimination of the health risks due to employment in mold-contaminated workplaces.
This goal will be measured through the increased awareness of occupational exposures to mold. Immunoassays and standardized approaches will allow for the easy identification of mold in the workplace. Upon identification, actions can be taken to reduce or eliminate mold exposure.
Intermediate Goal 3: Contribute to the identification and advancement of knowledge regarding occupational allergens causing allergic rhinitis, asthma, or other significant health effects for workers in various sectors and industries.
This goal will be measured by the development and publication of new information to characterize occupational chemicals or allergens that cause allergic disease or asthma. Implementation of these data by industry and regulatory agencies will help to accurately identify and implement acceptable exposure levels for these chemicals. Increased knowledge of the mechanisms behind these hazards presents the possibility of disease intervention.
Intermediate Goal 4: To reduce airborne transmission of infectious agents.
This goal will be measured by the development and publication of new information to characterize airborne transmission of infectious agents.
Intermediate Goal 5: To evaluate health effects related to indoor air quality and identify potential pollutants that contribute to the occupational phenomenon known as sick building syndrome.
This goal will be measured by the development and publication of new information to characterize chemicals that contribute to the adverse health effects associated with indoor air exposure. Identification of these chemicals will allow regulatory agencies to implement and monitor exposure levels thus enhancing indoor air quality
- Page last reviewed: December 18, 2012
- Page last updated: December 18, 2012
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