Integrating occupational health determinants with standardized social determinants of health
The review extensively discusses the myriad occupational hazards – physical, biological, chemical, and organizational – and their profound impact on workers’ health. These hazards, ranging from exposure to harmful substances to psychosocial stressors, significantly affect the health and well-being of individuals across various occupations.
Comparing these findings with the standard social determinants of health (SDOH), it’s evident that occupational determinants of health are intricately intertwined with these broader social factors. For instance, socioeconomic status, a key element of SDOH, is directly influenced by one’s occupation, which in turn affects access to resources, healthcare, and overall quality of life. Job security, workplace conditions, and exposure to occupational hazards contribute significantly to health disparities.
However, the CDC’s SDOH framework, which includes economic stability, education access and quality, healthcare access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context, notably omits specific mention of occupational factors. This exclusion is significant because the nature of one’s occupation can profoundly impact overall health, both through direct exposure to hazards and indirectly through socio-economic pathways.
For example, individuals in lower socioeconomic positions often engage in more hazardous jobs due to limited options, leading to increased health risks. This demonstrates a clear intersection between occupational and social determinants of health. Moreover, workplace environments, job security, and conditions significantly influence mental health, stress levels, and overall well-being, further tying occupational factors to broader SDOH.