Update on Approaches to Understanding Human Influenza Transmission
Background for Meeting
David N. Weissman, MD
Director, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Morgantown, WV
(The findings and conclusions in this presentation have not been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy.)
(Slide 2)
Employment in Health Care and Social Assistance Sector
Private, government and self-employed workers:
Ambulatory Healthcare Services6.39 million
Hospitals6.27 million
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities 2.57 million
Social Assistance 3.15 million
Total18.38 million
Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2009
(Slide 3)
Healthcare Workers Feel at Risk
This graphic is a table with the title, “Question 1: Do you feel safe from work-related injury or illness in your current working environment?
The table headers are: Response option, Total Selected and Percentage. There is an asterisk by percentage, however it is not labeled in a key on this slide.
Response option: Moderately safe
Total selected: 1727
Percentage: 35.9
Response option: Somewhat safe
Total selected: 1553
Percentage: 32.3
Response option: Very safe
Total selected: 938
Percentage: 19.5
Response option: Not safe at all
Total selected: 584
Percentage: 12.1
Total answered: 4802
(End table)
88% of nurses reported that health and safety concerns influenced their decision to remain in nursing and the kind of work they chose to perform
Source: American Nurses Association.
NursingWorld.org Health & Safety
Survey. September, 2001.
Next is a pie chart split into 4 parts. Dark pink is 35.9 percent. Lighter pink is 32.3 percent. The lightest pink slice is 12.1 percent. The red slice is 19.5 percent, labeled less than 20 percent feel very safe at work.
(Slide 4)
This slide is titled “Need for Influenza Transmission Research Recognized by IOM” and shows two graphics, one depicted under the year 2007 and another depicted under the year 2009.
For 2007, the graphic shows a cover of a publication entitled “Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic – Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers”.
For 2009, the graphic shows an introductory page of another publication entitled “Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A – A Letter Report”, which was authored by the Committee on Respiratory Protection for Healthcare Workers in the Workplace Against Novel H1N1 Influenza A, the Board on Health Sciences Policy, and edited by Cathryn T. Liverman, Tracy A. Harris, M.E. Bonnie Rogers, and Kenneth I. Shine, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Text under both graphics reads “Both reports note uncertainties and indicate great need for influenza transmission research”.
(Slide 5)
Research to Reduce Uncertainty
•Fundamental transmission research
–Relative contributions of modes of transmission
–Necessary to form conceptual basis for development of interventions
•Efficacy research: randomized controlled trials of preventive interventions
•Effectiveness research: “real-world” trials of preventive interventions