Our lab is committed to evaluating and impacting social determinants of health within the workplace. We draw upon key principles from organizational development, psychology, communication, public health as well as evidence based interventions in the occupational health literature to ensure the workplace is a safe, supportive place where employees are empowered and can maximize their productivity.

Peer Based Programs

A key determinant in the workplace is the influence of peers. Workplace peers are often more available than their supervisors which can aid in the identification of workplace problems as well as the promotion, implementation and maintenance of sustainable solutions. Peer based programs have demonstrated the ability to impact health outcomes in the community (Webel et. al, 2010), but have been underutilized in workplace health and safety despite promising evidence from previous workplace interventions from our colleagues within the institute and in the literature. Social network analysis is emerging as a key tool to identify influential peers (Borgatti, 2006) which is imperative given the literature on the best method for identifying peer leaders is still unclear (Valente, 2008).

Social Determinants of Health

Collaboration 

Total Worker Health Interventions

The National Insitute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines Total Worker Health® (TWH) as policies, programs, and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with promotion of injury and illness prevention efforts to advance worker well-being.

TWH is a holistic approach to worker well-being. It acknowledges risk factors related to work that contribute to health problems previously considered unrelated to work. The TWH approach seeks to improve well-being in the American workforce for the benefit of workers, employers, and the nation by protecting safety and enhancing health and productivity. Our colleagues have identified successes and challenges in developing effective Total Worker Health Interventions that can impact work-life stress and health behaviors. Our lab seeks collaboration opportunities with organizations in the pacific northwest to develop training to improve safety, health and well-being in occupational populations.

• I completed a Master's degree in Business Administration specializing in the field of Operations and Information Technology at the University of Seville, Spain and completed a B.S. in Statistics and Informatics from the National Agrarian University in Lima, Peru in December 2010.
• Working in Dr. Hurtado's Lab as a Research Assistant II in the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health that is part of Oregon Health and Science University. Mostly focused on data analysis and evaluation of social projects that are aimed to improve the health effects related to: time at work (e.g. work hours, breaks), social interaction at work (e.g. peer effects, supervisor and coworker support) and socioeconomic factors (e.g. employment policies).
• Previously, I worked as a Data Analyst &Research Evaluator in the Division of Community Services in the Center for Evaluation and Sociomedical Research (CIES), of the Graduate School of Public Health of the University of Puerto Rico evaluating the impact of government programs related to health and education in select communities.