Open AccessAn Approach to Assess the Burden of Work-Related Injury, Disease, and Distress
Author(s) -
Paul A. Schulte,
Rene PanaCryan,
Teresa M. Schnorr,
Anita L. Schill,
Rebecca J. Guerin,
Sarah A. Felknor,
Gregory R. Wagner
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2017.303765
Subject(s) - workforce , burden of disease , work (physics) , distress , medicine , occupational safety and health , welfare , disease burden , public health , disease , environmental health , gerontology , nursing , clinical psychology , economic growth , economics , mechanical engineering , market economy , pathology , engineering
The true burden (morbidity, mortality, disability, cost, pain, distress) of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries is unknown, and what is reported as burden is significantly underestimated. This underestimation affects the way decision-makers view investments in research and worker protection, which in turn has a substantial impact on national welfare and public health. To better describe the societal and individual burdens of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries, we propose an approach to gauge what is known about burden and where new assessments may be made. This approach consists of 4 elements to consider in burden assessments: (1) utilizing multiple domains, including the individual worker, the worker's family, the community in which the workplace is located, the employer, and society as a whole; (2) taking a broader view of the work-relatedness of disease and injury; (3) assessing the impact of the entire working-life continuum; and (4) applying the comprehensive concept of "well-being" as an indicator in addressing contemporary changes in the nature of work, the workplace, and the workforce. Further research on burden and enhanced surveillance is needed to develop these elements.