Introduction
Occupational determinants of health encompass a spectrum of factors and
circumstances found in the workplace that wield substantial influence
over an individual’s overall health and wellness. These determinants can
exert favorable and unfavorable impacts on a person’s physical, mental,
and social well-being (1). Based on an analysis to estimate the number
of United States workers that are frequently exposed to infectious and
disease-causing agents in the workplace, the result from the survey
showed that as of 2018, of 144.7 million people employed in the United
States, approximately 10% (14,425,070) and 18.4% (26,669,810) of
workers were exposed to disease or infection at least once per week and
once per month respectively (2). It was also noted that the majority of
the exposed workers are employed in healthcare sectors and others,
including protective service occupations, office and administrative
support occupations, education occupations, community and social
services occupations, and construction and social services occupations
(2). It is important to explore comprehensively how workers are exposed
to infectious and disease-causing agents in the workplace and the
factors responsible for this.
Occupational hazards negatively impact workers’ health; they are
classified as physical, biological, chemical, ergonomic, mechanical, and
psychosocial hazards (3). Other factors that impact workers’ health
include physical work environment, organizational, socioeconomic,
occupational disparities, occupational health promotion and occupational
health protection can have both favorable and unfavorable impact on
workers’ health (4).
Research has shown diseases and health complications associated with
occupations due to exposure to the above-stated hazards at their
workplace. Some of the health complications include chemical burns, skin
disorders, respiratory problems, anxiety and depression, organ damage,
and cancers in some extreme cases of exposure to toxic chemicals (5-7).
A research study aimed at examining the impact of physical hazard
exposure on the health of forestry vehicle operators engaged in wood
logging operations found that 27% of the workers had been diagnosed
with a range of health conditions. These conditions included
osteo-musculoskeletal disorders, dermatological issues, respiratory
problems, and cardiovascular diseases. Among these health issues,
osteo-musculoskeletal disorders were the most prevalent. These health
problems were attributed to the workers’ exposure to workplace hazards,
including noise, whole-body vibration, and various environmental
elements (8). In another study, occupational hearing impairment was
detected among twenty-two million workers, encompassing both men and
women aged between 18 and 65. These individuals had been exposed to
unsafe noise levels within various industries across the United States
(9).
This paper aims to embark on a comprehensive exploration, assessment,
and definition of the overarching occupational determinants of health.
In doing so, we endeavor to dissect and illuminate the multifaceted
aspects that shape an individual’s health within the context of their
occupation.
To achieve this objective, we will extensively review existing
literature, drawing upon various disciplines such as public health,
occupational science, sociology, psychology, and epidemiology. This
interdisciplinary approach will enable us to identify and
comprehensively analyze the diverse factors that influence health
outcomes in the workplace.
Our investigation will encompass an exhaustive examination of the
physical, psychosocial, and environmental factors that individuals
encounter while engaged in their occupations. We will delve into the
impact of workplace hazards, ergonomic considerations, and occupational
exposures on health. Simultaneously, we will explore the interplay of
psychosocial stressors, job satisfaction, work-life balance, and mental
well-being in shaping an individual’s overall health status.
Furthermore, we will scrutinize the role of workplace policies,
organizational culture, and access to healthcare resources in this
complex equation.
By elucidating these multifaceted determinants, we aim to provide a
comprehensive framework that not only identifies the factors at play but
also defines their collective influence on an individual’s health.
Figure 1 shows the summary of occupational determinant of health.