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.