AIHA's Grand Challenges Project

Grand Challenges have been developed for several professions and organizations (e.g., mathematics, medicine, engineering, and social work). They are different in many ways from more routine but ambitious efforts such as 5-year strategic plans.

Background: Grand Challenges have been developed for several professions and organizations (e.g., mathematics, medicine, engineering, and social work). In 2019, AIHA's Fellows leadership team established the AIHA’s Grand Challenges for Worker Health, Safety, and Well-Being Leadership Team, a limited-term volunteer group. In 2021, the Grand Challenges project began. As the world’s premier organization for occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professionals, AIHA, in collaboration with its allied organization partners, is ideally suited to embark on this important project. The time is right to build on the increased recognition of the value of the OEHS profession in protecting worker and community health and to further the association's progress towards its vision…”a world where all workers and their communities are healthy and safe”.

New for 2025 - Grand Challenges: Introduction and Executive Summary

Here’s a Sneak Peek of What’s Inside:

  • Introduction
  • What are Grand Challenges?
  • How were the AIHA Grand Challenges for Worker Health, Safety, and Well-Being Developed?
  • Mitigating the Impacts of a Changing Climate on Workers
  • Changing Work Environment
  • Promoting Health Equity and Eliminating Precarity in the Workplace

Download the new paper here

New for 2025 - Grand Challenges: Promoting Health Equity and Eliminating Precarity in the Workplace

Here’s a Sneak Peek of What’s Inside:

  • What are Grand Challenges?
  • Factors Contributing to Occupational Health Inequities
  • Preventive Actions
  • Potential Outcomes
  • Metrics and Assessing or Measuring Progress
  • Interdisciplinary and Cross-Sector Involvement
  • The Need for Innovation
  • Next Steps: Progress and Future Directions in Research, Education, Practice, and Policy
  • The Roles of OEHS Professionals and Other Collaborators

Download the new paper here
 

New for 2025 - Grand Challenges: Improving Exposure Assessment

Here’s a Sneak Peek of What’s Inside:

  • Background and Criteria for Grand Challenges
  • Progress to Date in Improving Exposure Assessment
  • The Grand Challenges for Improving Exposure Assessment
  • Improving Decision-Making When Exposure Monitoring Data Are Not Available
  • Improving Decision-Making When Exposure Monitoring Data Are Available
  • Improving the Use of Data from Real-Time Detection Systems
  • Improving Dermal Exposure Assessments
  • Embracing and Influencing TSCA Risk Evaluations

Download the new paper here
 

New for 2025 - Grand Challenges: The Changing Work Environment

Here’s a Sneak Peek of What’s Inside:

Changing Work Environment Grand Challenges, including:

  • Ensuring the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of Workers in Nonstandard Work Arrangements
  • Minimizing the Impacts of Shift Work, Long Hours, and Sleep Deficiency on Workers
  • Advancing the Health, Safety, and Well-Being of Workers Affected by Rapidly Advancing Technology
  • Improving Work Design and Organizational Practices
  • Optimizing Education, Training, and Skill-Building Approaches

    Download the new paper here

    New for 2025 - Grand Challenges: Mitigating the Impacts of a Changing Climate on Workers

    Here’s a Sneak Peek of What’s Inside:

    • Introduction
    • Criteria for the Grand Challenges
    • What is Climate Change?
    • Potential Risks of the "Green Economy"
    • Mitigating Climate Change Hazards: What is Being Done?
    • Mitigating Climate Change Hazards: What Must Be Done?
    • Next Steps

    Download the new paper here

    Overview of 2025 Updates

    AIHA Grand-Challenges-Overview_2025.pptx from AIHA

    Grand Challenges Leadership Team

    • Deborah Imel Nelson, Ph.D., MPH, CIH, FAIHA: Project Chair; Facilitator for the Promoting Health Equity Team
    • Chris Laszcz-Davis, MS, CIH, FAIHA, FAIC: Facilitator for the Climate Change Team
    • Don Weekes, CIH, CSP, FAIHA: Facilitator for the Changing Workplace Team
    • Denese Deeds, CIH, FAIHA: Facilitator for the Improving Exposure Assessment Team
    • Tom Grumbles MS, CIH (Retired), CPPS, FAIHA: Advising Editor for all teams
    • Nicole Greeson, MS, CIH: AIHA President, 2024-2025 (Board Liaison)
    • Larry Sloan, MBA, CAE, FASAE: AIHA CEO

    We Welcome Your Feedback

    With the concept papers now finalized, our next step is to research and identify other organizations whose bandwidth and capacity can help us amplify our message. These partners will be instrumental in developing a plan to take us to the next step in addressing our Grand Challenges. Please share your input below.

    Historical Materials Timeline

    What Are Grand Challenges?

    In 2019, AIHA's Fellows Executive Board established the AIHA Fellows Grand Challenges for Worker Health, Safety, and Well-Being (GCWHSW-B) Team, a limited-term volunteer group. In 2021, the Grand Challenges project began.
    Watch and Listen to Deborah Nelson Explain
    Infographic

    AIHA’s
    Four
    Grand
    Challenges

    In 2022, AIHA conducted focus groups with member volunteer groups as well as a survey with the entire membership to arrive at these Grand Challenges.
    Download infographic now
    Executive Summary

    AIHA
    Grand
    Challenges

    Market Research Study Findings 2022.
    Download AIHA's Grand Challenges Overviews
    Topics AIHA IH Profession