Reaching the Hard to Reach: Outreach Programs for Vulnerable Working Populations

The U.S. is rapidly evolving into a two-tiered labor force, with disadvantaged populations working on contingent, non-traditional or informal sector jobs, when they are able to find work. What do we know about health and safety outcomes? What information is available about possible interventions? This first seminar will discuss these and other topics concerning health and safety in vulnerable working populations.

This seminar was held on February 24, 2005.

Video

To watch the streaming video, your computer needs:

• Internet connection with a 56K modem or faster.
• Sound card with speakers so you can hear the audio portion of the course.
• Real Player Software - if it isn't installed on your computer, download it for free at http://real.com.

Video of the February 24, 2005, NORA Symposium

Objectives

Upon completion of the sessions, participants should be able to:

1. identify and characterize vulnerable working populations,
2. identify high-risk workplaces,
3. list resources,
4. identify barriers to accessing resources,
5. describe approaches to enhancing access.

Speaker

Dr. Rosemary Sokas, MD, MOH is Professor and Director of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Sokas' background includes an MD from Boston University School of Medicine and an MOH and MSc from Harvard School of Public Health. Her research interests include applied, translational occupational safety and health organized work targeting small businesses and vulnerable populations. Dr. Sokas' teaching specialty deals with problem-based occupational and environmental health/integration of EOHS into public health and primary care. Additionally, Dr. Sokas has authored several publications on occupational and environmental health and was recently awarded the National Faculty Honors National Safety Council Green Cross for Safety.