February 19, 2013
HOPKINTON, MA – The first Liberty Mutual Work Disability Research Award was presented to Marja-Liisa Lindbohm, Ph.D., a researcher at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Ton Vonk Noordegraaf, M.D., a physician at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at VU Medical Center in Amsterdam. The award, established by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and the Work Disability Prevention and Integration (WDPI) Scientific Committee of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), recognizes outstanding research in work disability prevention. The winners presented their research at the biannual scientific meeting of the WDPI Scientific Committee.
“We are very honored that the first Liberty Mutual Work Disability Research Award was presented at the WDPI conference,” expressed Ute Bultmann, Ph.D., chairperson of the 2012 WDPI Scientific Conference. “This is a fantastic opportunity to promote and recognize high-quality, innovative research,” she continued. “The two recipients in 2012 truly represent some of the best young contributors to our field.”
Dr. Marja-Liisa Lindbohm and her colleagues presented an analysis of employment outcomes after cancer diagnosis and compared outcomes across four countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway - while controlling for multiple potential illness-related confounders. These researchers were the first investigators to demonstrate conclusively that differences between national policies determining disability payment eligibility were the most important determinants of differences in return-to-work outcomes in cancer survivors. “Along with my research group, we are very happy and honored to receive this award. It is great to get such positive feedback on our work,” said Dr. Lindbohm.
Ton Vonk Noordegraaf, M.D. and colleagues at the VU Medical Center and the EMGO Institute in Amsterdam implemented a novel innovation to promote early return to work in women undergoing gynecological surgery. They developed an interactive e-health program that had a significant impact on post-surgical work disability outcomes. The program included personalized information regarding activity resumption, pre- and post-operative instructions, additional counseling support as needed, as well as information for doctors and families.
The Liberty Mutual Work Disability Research Award recognizes the principal investigator(s) of an original scientific study that significantly advances theory, understanding, and application in the field of disability prevention, through an innovative approach to an important problem. All abstracts submitted to the biannual scientific meeting receive consideration for the award. An independent international review committee established by the WDPI Conference Scientific Committee selects the recipient. The recipient does not need to be a member of ICOH or of the Scientific Committee. Winning researchers are encouraged to submit their paper to the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, the official journal of the WDPI Scientific Committee.
Glenn Pransky, M.D., M.Occ.H., Director of the Research Institute’s Center for Disability Research, and chairman of the ICOH WDPI Scientific Committee, regards the award as an important step forward for the organization. “This award provides new visibility for work disability prevention research,” stated Dr. Pransky. “It will increase awareness of the opportunities for scientific research to improve the lives and well-being of workers around the world.”
About Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety
Owned and operated by Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety has helped to improve the occupational safety and health of millions of workers for nearly 60 years. Through laboratory and field-based investigations, the Research Institute seeks to advance scientific, business-relevant knowledge in workplace and highway safety and work disability. Research findings are shared with the worldwide health and safety community, and are ultimately used to develop recommendations, guidelines, and interventions that help reduce risk and control costs.
About Liberty Mutual Insurance
"Helping people live safer, more secure lives" since 1912, Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on A.M. Best Company's report of 2010 net written premium. Liberty Mutual Insurance also ranks 82nd on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2010 revenue. As of December 31, 2011, Liberty Mutual Insurance had $117.1 billion in consolidated assets, $99.3 billion in consolidated liabilities, and $34.7 billion in annual consolidated revenue.
Liberty Mutual Insurance offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, property, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, reinsurance and surety. Liberty Mutual Insurance employs over 45,000 people in more than 900 offices throughout the world.
About the ICOH Scientific Committee on Work Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation
The ICOH Scientific Committee on Work Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation was organized in 2006, with the mission of becoming the leading forum for scientific and professional knowledge transfer and exchange in the field of Work Disability Prevention and Integration. The Committee seeks to promote scientific advancement in prevention of disability, and safe and sustained return to work in workers, across a range of health conditions and work situations.
Contact: Jo-Ellen McCarrick
jo-ellen.mccarrick@libertymutual.com
