Occupational health and job-related risks
Badía Montalvo, R.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 98(1): 20-33
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 3155950 Document Number: 265623
There has been a need for a theoretical framework covering work accidents, work hazards, occupational diseases and occupational health to be designed. This study points up the magnitude of the problem and the increasing importance of work accidents and occupation disease as major risk factors to which workers and their families are exposed. The shortage of data demonstrating the frequency of numerous professional diseases indicates the lack of consideration that has been given to occupational health problems. Measures set forth in defining the goal of health for all, particularly in regard to social equity and efficiency, may be carried out through worker health programs. The theoretical framework for an occupational health program is presented, indicating the need for the activities of such a program to be incoporated into healthy service activities, in accordance with different levels of complexity. In this regard, reference is made to the important role that health ministries play in providing health care to the community and thus their importance in the development of occupational health care activities and services. Health ministries, in close coordination with other institutions, can make the concept of health for all more feasible by expanding community coverage and participation. An outline of the methodology for an occupational health program based on the use of a labor health map as a tool for guidance and assistance in preventing and providing proper care for work accidents and occupational disease, is also presented.