10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Introductions and updates.

11:00 AM – 12 Noon: Summary of upcoming UCLA Occupational Health Psychology Course funded by a grant from NIOSH. Presented by Peter Schnall MD, MPH; Paul Landsbergis M.P.H., Ph.D. and Karen Belkic MD, Ph.D.

12 Noon – 1:00 PM: Update on Canadian Auto Worker Study / Proposed UAW Study. Presented by Paul Landsbergis M.P.H., Ph.D.

1:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Occupation Cardiology Workshop. Presented by Dr. Karen Belkic and Dr. Peter Schnall.

The purpose of this workshop was to explore the implications for cardiologic clinical practice of the emerging body of scientific evidence linking work and workplace factors to hypertension and ischemic heart disease. As undoubtedly experienced by many of the participants, cardiologists and other clinicians handling hypertension and ischemic heart disease are routinely called upon to make a judgment about cardiovascular work fitness of their patients. Unfortunately, however, the more fundamental question has rarely been posed in the clinical context. Namely, is the work environment fit, or conducive to cardiovascular health?

This workshop attempted to help bridge the fields of occupational epidemiology and stress research with clinical cardiology. We were fortunate to have Dr. Robert Peck, a renowned clinical cardiologist, join us. The workshop represented in many ways an outgrowth of our recent book: The Workplace and Cardiovascular Disease, Schnall PL, Belkic K, Landsbergis PA, Baker D (eds.) Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Review (OM:STAR). 2000;15(1). In bringing together clinicians, researchers and public health advocates, we enjoyed a lively exchange of ideas and perspectives.