Written by David Shapiro

COLLEGE STATION, TX - The Society for Total Worker Health™ hosted a regional meeting in partnership with Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas on October 22, 2024, called, “Linking Academia and Industry to Elevate the Total Worker Health^® Approach.” This event gathered experts, researchers, and industry leaders to explore cutting-edge solutions and practices to enhance worker well-being and safety across various challenging industries.

Addressing Fatigue, Psychosocial Risks, and an Aging Workforce

In the morning workshops focused on pressing workforce issues, David Gimeno, PhD, from the University of Texas San Antonio School of Public Health delivered a comprehensive session on psychosocial risk factors impacting worker health. Gimeno emphasized the importance of practical, implementable interventions, such as supportive management practices, flexible scheduling, and job redesign, to mitigate risks and improve mental health outcomes. Gimeno also highlighted the need for integrated approaches that consider work and non-work factors to foster holistic well-being​.

David Douphrate, PhD, of Texas A&M led a workshop on worker fatigue, presenting it as a multifaceted challenge with physical, cognitive, and economic impacts. His insights on the connections between sleep, shift work, and health outcomes were research-informed and immediately actionable. Douphrate noted that fatigue management strategies—such as strategic break scheduling and flexible work arrangements—can substantially reduce associated risks​, providing practical solutions for immediate implementation.

Kristina Lounsberry from the Industrial Strength Work Rehabilatation Center focused on the needs of an aging workforce. She advocated for ergonomic modifications and job design tailored to older workers’ abilities. Lounsberry also addressed generational diversity, suggesting that workplaces should consider a variety of tailored solutions that cater to employees of all ages​.

Emerging Trends and Technologies for Total Worker Health

Following the morning workshops, the event transitioned to exploring emerging TWH trends and technologies. Mark Benden, PhD, from Texas A&M, introduced applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in occupational health, showcasing tools for ergonomic risk assessment that non-specialists can deploy to achieve consistent, data-driven safety evaluations. Richard Hannah, PhD, from the Houston Area Safety Council highlighted innovative safety training approaches, including “translanguaging.” This approach involves using a combination of languages to enhance understanding and engagement for multilingual learners, thereby improving safety knowledge and practices. 

Health Promotion and Inclusive Design for Diverse Workplaces

David Shapiro from the Centers for Health, Work & Environment addressed health promotion for hard-to-reach worker populations in the agriculture and oil and gas sectors. Shapiro presented flexible, inclusive solutions for promoting health across varied settings, including telehealth options for remote workers and culturally tailored interventions for historically minoritized employees. James D. Rethaber, PhD, concluded the day with a panel on generational diversity, emphasizing the need for inclusive workplace design that accommodates diverse age groups and preferences.

A Call to Action for Total Worker Health

In his closing remarks, Douphrate reiterated, “The value of Total Worker Health lies in creating workplaces that support not just productivity but overall worker well-being.” The 2024 Regional Meeting underscored the Society for Total Worker Health’s commitment to bridging research and practice, highlighting innovative approaches to support worker safety and health in increasingly complex work environments.