John Howard (NIOSH director)

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[NIOSH's] challenges used to be those that normally would have had a very widespread risk factor associated with them - chemical agents and physical agents like asbestos and radiation. A lot of the studies and interventions to eliminate those hazards have been done over the last 20 to 25 years. We're now dealing with issues that have personal risks, and it is more difficult to design strategies for causation and intervention studies to eliminate those risks, such as musculoskeletal injuries and work-related stress. [11]

Howard expanded the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) instituted by his predecessor, Dr. Rosenstock, using it as a vehicle to work toward the institute's updated aims. [12]

John Howard was appointed by President George W. Bush to be a special coordinator to handle the medical issues afflicting 9/11 rescue workers, specifically those at the World Trade Center site. Howard introduced the World Trade Center (WTC) Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program, which offered medical help and screening to emergency workers. [2] [5] With the 2011 enactment of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, Howard became Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program. [4] [13]

As a public health administrator, Howard was admired for his ability to collaborate effectively, even with adversarial parties. He was noted for the tone of "openness and cooperation" he set [5] and for listening to and seeking input from all available stakeholders. [10]

As Howard's 6-year term approached its close, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Julie Gerberding met with him to inform him that he would not be reappointed. [14] His term ended on July 14, 2008, in a "controversial decision that brought criticism from safety and health stakeholders". [9] He completed his term and began serving as a temporary legal advisor to the CDC director. NIOSH associate director Christine Branche, Ph.D., served as acting director in Dr. Howard's place. [14]

On September 3, 2009, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Howard's reappointment as director of NIOSH and World Trade Center Programs coordinator for HHS. [3] In 2016, Howard became the first person to be appointed to a third 6-year term as NIOSH director and received a fourth 6-year appointment in 2021. [4]

References

  1. "John Jackson Howard Lawyer Profile". Martindale.com.
  2. 1 2 "The World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program" . NIOSH Publication 2007-109. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. March 2007. doi:10.26616/NIOSHPUB2007109 (inactive 12 July 2025). Retrieved November 18, 2008.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
  3. 1 2 "Secretary Sebelius Announces New Director of CDC's National Institute". U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Archived from the original (Press release, September 3, 2009) on 2014-01-17. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health". U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Heidorn, Dave (April 2008). "Safety's #1 DC Issue". Professional Safety. 53 (4). Des Plaines: 27.
  6. 1 2 Nash, James (January 3, 2002). "John Howard Appointed New Director of NIOSH". EHS Today. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
  7. 1 2 "NIOSH's John Howard Receives ISEA Distinguished Service Award". Occupational Hazards. 70 (2). Cleveland: 42. February 2008.
  8. "John Howard". Marquis Who's Who, 2008. Gale. 2008.
  9. 1 2 Smith, Sandy (September 1, 2008). "The 50 Most Influential EHS Leaders". EHS Today. Retrieved November 17, 2008.
  10. 1 2 "Dr. John Howard appointed new director". Occupational Hazards. 64 (8). Cleveland: 16. August 2002.
  11. Nighswonger, Todd (October 2002). "Leading NIOSH into new challenges". Occupational Hazards. 64 (10). Cleveland: 36.
  12. "The National Occupational Research Agenda". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved November 19, 2008.
  13. Reynolds, Aline (2011-05-18). "Howard to return as W.T.C. Health Program director | DOWNTOWN EXPRESS". www.downtownexpress.com. Downtown Express. Archived from the original on 2015-09-06. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  14. 1 2 Walter, Laura (July 9, 2008). "Howards Term as NIOSH Director Ends July 14". EHS Today. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
John Howard
John Howard of NIOSH.JPG
Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
In office
2002–2008, 2009–present