I thought this research article, The association between workplace smoking bans and self-perceived, work-related stress among smoking workers, by Azagba and Sharaf, merited discussion on a number of points.
First, this article examines unintended consequences of public health interventions. While this is a required part of biomedical clinical trials, this is not a routine part of the literature for public health. The emotional and social investment that are tied to policies and other social interventions can actively interfere with objective evaluation. So it is great to see researchers and journals support this line of inquiry.
Secondly, this also concerns the work environment as an outcome. This is a dominant aspect (at least in terms of time) of most of our lives, but it is not addressed in proportion to its importance.
The study's strengths include its use of longitudinal data, a sample that is representative of the Canadian population ethnically and geographically, and also enrolls a wide variety of occupations. The data also contain information on a wide variety of covariates, including health status and drinking status, that allowed for better modeling and analysis.
Work-place smoking bans were positively associated with perceived work-related stress for smokers. When examining effects separately for age and gender, the associations were only significant for males and for younger workers (18-40). These associations remained even after adjusting for the effects of variables such as marital status, drinking status, health status, province of residence and type of occupation.
There was no association between workplace smoking bans and work-related stress for nonsmokers. While this may sound like "duh", it is important that the "common sense" assumption was actually verified by data. It might also not be "common sense". Some nonsmokers have indicated that they would actually go more frequently and enjoy public places such as restaurants and bars if there were smoking bans. So examining the data and trying to understand the complexity of the relationships between nonsmokers and smokers is beneficial.
The authors don't call for rescinding smoking bans based on their research, and neither would I. This type of research can point out the additional facets of a smoking policy intervention that would be beneficial for optimizing employee outcomes, such as stress management training and assistance with smoking cessation and access to pharmacological aids.
I hope in the future that objective and subjective data on people's work environments are integrated into health surveillance systems in the United States.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Right Concentration
The eighth and final component of the path is Right Concentration. Right Concentration means developing the ability of the mind to focus onto one particular object, through bringing unity and direction to one's thoughts. Focus helps us achieve clarity, which in turn brings us to another cycle of the path.
Meditation has many uses, and one can certainly use classic meditation practices and subjects to develop an overall enhanced concentration ability of the mind that will reflect in the professional sphere. Alternatively, one can also develop very specific patterns and practices related to our discipline.
For example, just as data is not the equivalent of information, knowledge is not the equivalent of wisdom. Try contemplating a single idea or finding, instead of trying to cram as many new facts in the limited amount of time that we have for professional development, or thinking about your responses and emotions related to the object of your contemplation. Consistent practice increases capacity, just as it does with developing our physical abilities.
Meditation has many uses, and one can certainly use classic meditation practices and subjects to develop an overall enhanced concentration ability of the mind that will reflect in the professional sphere. Alternatively, one can also develop very specific patterns and practices related to our discipline.
For example, just as data is not the equivalent of information, knowledge is not the equivalent of wisdom. Try contemplating a single idea or finding, instead of trying to cram as many new facts in the limited amount of time that we have for professional development, or thinking about your responses and emotions related to the object of your contemplation. Consistent practice increases capacity, just as it does with developing our physical abilities.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Right Mindfulness
In the context of data analysis, I see steps 1 and 7 as being reflections of each other at different points in time. Right View is about clearly seeing and understanding the situation we wish to analyze. In Right Mindfulness, we bring this understanding and awareness to the results of our analysis. "Right mindfulness is anchored in clear perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right mindfulness enables us to be aware of the process of conceptualisation in a way that we actively observe and control the way our thoughts go." (The BigView).
We should aspire to have a fully conscious, systematic and focused way of approaching our interpretation of findings. Develop clear processes and guideposts that lead you to interpretation that flows from your data, instead of being forced upon it.
We should aspire to have a fully conscious, systematic and focused way of approaching our interpretation of findings. Develop clear processes and guideposts that lead you to interpretation that flows from your data, instead of being forced upon it.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Right Effort
What is Right Effort in the context of data analysis? Effort refers to how we use our mental energy. In our prior steps on the path, we have learned what we should be doing. Right Effort reminds us to use our energy wisely, to focus on the things that will bring us in harmony with our ideals, and to resist putting energy into things that are destructive or will undermine the character of our work.
In our daily practice, we are given many tests or challenges - such as scope creep of projects, political pressures (of many varieties), shifting deadlines and priorities. Finding ways to deal with these constructively will always be an ongoing tension. Having awareness, and acting purposefully with positive intention, will put us in a position to remain grounded and move our work forward.
In our daily practice, we are given many tests or challenges - such as scope creep of projects, political pressures (of many varieties), shifting deadlines and priorities. Finding ways to deal with these constructively will always be an ongoing tension. Having awareness, and acting purposefully with positive intention, will put us in a position to remain grounded and move our work forward.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Health Impact Assessment Blog: Video: Improving the Health of the United States
This is a very concise, accessible explanation of Health Impact Assessment. Check it Out!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Right Livelihood
This step on the eightfold path may not seem of obvious significance, when you focus only on the specific occupational categories that are to be avoided (1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Adapted from The Bigview).
This step is still of vital importance if we look at it in another context. The precepts of Right Livelihood are to support the practitioner engaging in Right Speech and Right Action. Similarly, we can develop a precept for Right Livelihood with respect to data analysis. We should seek to work for and with employers that support the practice of our profession in the right way. We should strive to promote environments where carrying out the principles embodied in Right Speech and Right Action become normative, and are not seen as threatening or disruptive. We should encourage the organizations that we are associated with to manifest these ideals in every aspect, not just in relation to their data analysis practices.
This step is still of vital importance if we look at it in another context. The precepts of Right Livelihood are to support the practitioner engaging in Right Speech and Right Action. Similarly, we can develop a precept for Right Livelihood with respect to data analysis. We should seek to work for and with employers that support the practice of our profession in the right way. We should strive to promote environments where carrying out the principles embodied in Right Speech and Right Action become normative, and are not seen as threatening or disruptive. We should encourage the organizations that we are associated with to manifest these ideals in every aspect, not just in relation to their data analysis practices.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Right Action
Right Action involves some precepts, such as sexual behavior, which are beyond the scope of duties of the professional data analyst (at least I think so - if your experience is different you are welcome to share). But other precepts are relevant "to abstain from harming sentient beings, especially doing harm intentionally or delinquently; to abstain from taking what is not given, which includes stealing, robbery, fraud, deceitfulness, and dishonesty". adapted from The Bigview
Like Right Speech, we can also see this as building upon the concepts discussed in Right Vision. In work involving the public good, we are often called upon to balance the needs of society as a whole versus the needs of the individuals in society. In actions involving direct physical intervention with an individual, such as medical treatment, the harms or negative consequences are expected to be discussed, but in interventions that are less intrusive or are not aimed at specific individuals the quantification and discussion of harms, intended or unintended, is too often minimized. In order to make informed judgments and decisions, we should be prepared to openly investigate and present all the effects of a program, policy or intervention, not only the those that are most directly related to desired outcomes.
In thinking about taking what is not given, in addition the more obvious interpretations, with respect to data acquisition and analysis, we should always be striving towards appropriate interpretations of ownership. From the extreme examples such as Henrietta Lacks to more insidious examples such as not making analyses available to subjects who provided the data (most community members do not have access to medical libraries, for example), there are many opportunities to learn and continue to evolve.
Like Right Speech, we can also see this as building upon the concepts discussed in Right Vision. In work involving the public good, we are often called upon to balance the needs of society as a whole versus the needs of the individuals in society. In actions involving direct physical intervention with an individual, such as medical treatment, the harms or negative consequences are expected to be discussed, but in interventions that are less intrusive or are not aimed at specific individuals the quantification and discussion of harms, intended or unintended, is too often minimized. In order to make informed judgments and decisions, we should be prepared to openly investigate and present all the effects of a program, policy or intervention, not only the those that are most directly related to desired outcomes.
In thinking about taking what is not given, in addition the more obvious interpretations, with respect to data acquisition and analysis, we should always be striving towards appropriate interpretations of ownership. From the extreme examples such as Henrietta Lacks to more insidious examples such as not making analyses available to subjects who provided the data (most community members do not have access to medical libraries, for example), there are many opportunities to learn and continue to evolve.
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