Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
be identified by stakeholders as having the highest priority. And it is unclear how
the manager or coordinator of a sector-specific research program (such as the
AFF Program or the Mining Program), even if armed with a well-defined, clearly
described strategic plan with detailed measurable objectives, could influence al-
location or direction of resources to achieve sector-specific goals.
NIOSH is currently restructuring its research portfolio (NORA 2). The re-
search programs will be subdivided into eight NORA sector programs based on
industry-sector groups; 15 NIOSH cross-sector programs based on occupational
health outcomes, statutory programs, and global health efforts; and seven NIOSH-
coordinated emphasis areas, which are cross-cutting programs to be integrated into
the sector and cross-sector programs (FY07 Project Planning Guidance in NIOSH,
2006a). Each of the 30 research programs will have a manager and coordinator.
AFF is one of the eight sector programs and is developing strategic goals.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires that the strategic goals
be organized by outcomes, such as reductions in injuries and illnesses, instead of
more general topics, such as reducing all occupational mortality in AFF industries.
That approach would yield specific targeted outcomes, performance measures for
evaluating progress toward meeting outcome goals, and intermediate objectives
necessary to meet goals. NIOSH identified the following challenges to setting such
goals (available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/agff/goals.html ):
• The focus is on a subgroup of issues where NIOSH can have an impact.
A long list would spread resources too thin; not all worthwhile topics can be
included.
• It is difficult to develop performance measures. Injury statistics have limita-
tions, and exposure and health outcome measures are often unavailable.
• NIOSH is a research agency and so it does not often directly influence
outcomes. It is ambitious to set goals to achieve such outcomes as reductions in
a national mortality rate; NIOSH would need to form effective partnerships and
influence other groups to show results.
On the basis of that information, it appears that the AFF Program will be mov-
ing toward an improved strategic planning process that will entail development
of well-defined, clearly described goals with measurable objectives. However, it
remains to be seen whether the complex nature of this program portfolio matrix
will facilitate or hinder research planning, implementation, communication, and
assessment. It was noted that intervention effectiveness research no longer has
specific emphasis in NORA, although it would probably fall in the AFF sector or
appropriate cross-sector programs or coordinated emphasis areas, such as personal
protective technology or engineering controls.
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