The impact of occupation on workers' health: I - Morbidity

Abstract

A review is made to estimate the impact of occupation on workers' health, as part of the rationale with regard to the integration of Occupational Health into the Health Sector. In this first study, based on a critical review of the literature, the repercussions on morbidity are discussed, through the analysis of Brazilian data on occupational accidents, acute occupational intoxications, occupational diseases and other "work-related diseases" such as cardiovascular diseases (hypertension being taken as a model), chronic respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, (low-back pain serving as a paradigm) mental disorders and stress.