The public health approach to occupational injury research: From surveillance to prevention

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the US uses the public health model as the framework for occupational injury prevention research. This model is described, along with where we have made progress in this research process, and where we need to focus our efforts in the future. The specific role of surveillance in research and prevention of occupational injuries is also discussed, as well as the importance of partnership efforts to facilitate the transfer of research to practice. Suggestions are provided for stimulating a global approach to surveillance and to the transfer of research to practice.