Northwest Center Researchers focus on Occupational Health among Veterinary Workers

A recent article in the Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association highlighted a recent study on mental health risk factors for professionals working in the veterinary field. This risk factors study found that mental health and well-being issues run high among veterinary professionals, and risk factors for depression and suicide are prevalent.

Dr. Heather Fowler
Photo: University of Washington

Following these findings, Dr. Peter Rabinowitz and Dr. Heather Fowler, of DEOHS's Center for One Health Research, reached out to the principle investigators with an interest in addressing mental health issues among veterinary workers through an occupational health approach.

Through the new Northwest Center ERC training program in Occupational Health at the Human-Animal Interface (OHHAI), the Center for One Health Research will focus on the occupational health of animal and veterinary workers.

They plan to implement research that would incorporate mental health into occupational health outcomes, and encourage greater interdisciplinary collaboration on this issue. Dr. Rabinowitz hypothesizes that increased collaboration and communication between human health workers and animal workers may be essential to achieving better mental health outcomes for veterinary workers and students.

Drs. Rabinowitz and Fowler will look at professional burnout, compassion fatigue, and stress from animal euthanasia, along with other factors as they work to understand mental health outcomes for veterinary professionals.

Two New Academic Research Training Programs - Funding Opportunities for Students

The NWCOHS is proud to announce that two new academic research training programs have been funded by NIOSH and we are now accepting applications for traineeships that include student funding.

Construction Management Occupational Safety and Health (CMOSH) is a new track within the Master of Science in Construction Management degree program at the University of Washington. The track aims to produce future construction management leaders who will have the knowledge and skills to integrate project management and occupational health and safety for true project success. CMOSH students will have a well-rounded and interdisciplinary learning experience covering subjects from construction management, occupational health and safety, and industry practices. Contingent upon funding from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the CMOSH track will provide tuition waivers and monthly stipend benefits to highly qualified applicants who are U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents. Applications for the 2015 autumn enrollment are due on/before September 1 and candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the track faculty as early as possible to express their interests. For more information, please click here. The applications form can be downloaded here.

The Occupational Health at the Human-Animal Interface (OHHAI) research training program will support students in the development of new competencies for research and provision of preventive occupational health services to workers in a wide range of animal contact settings, ranging from research facilities to veterinary hospitals, zoos, and agriculture using an innovative and interdisciplinary “One Health” paradigm. OHHAI trainees will complete the requirements for the MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, and take supplemental coursework in zoonotic infectious disease, ergonomics, and safety principles.