Volume 74, Issue 7, October 2024

Economic inactivity and multimorbidity, including mental–physical multimorbidity, have increased in recent years, adversely impacting individuals and the economy, and widening health inequalities. There is an under-recognition of their relationship although they share important risk factors. The substantial challenges of each cannot be addressed without understanding the other. This requires access to better health and work data, and greater cooperation between clinicians, researchers and policy-makers. The central role of occupational health expertise is highlighted.

There is now evidence that widespread adoption of the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) approach developed in the United Kingdom can have a significant impact on health. Even though there are important reasons explaining why such an approach is scarcely applied in workplaces, MECC might be of interest in some specific cases, such as healthcare settings or large companies. It could be considered, organized and evaluated in such workplaces.

Between August and September 2021, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with an attack rate of 55% (22/40 workers), occurred in a public-facing office in England. To identify workplace- and worker-related risk factors, an investigation involving surface sampling, occupational environmental assessment, molecular and serological testing of workers, and questionnaires was undertaken. The results highlight the potential utility of surface sampling to identify SARS-CoV-2 control deficiencies and the importance of evolving, site-specific risk assessments with layered coronavirus disease 2019 mitigation strategies.

Long-term (>12 weeks) sick leave associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was less frequent than previously thought from the analysis of objective sick leave data for Belgian workers with positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testfrom July 2020 to September 2021 (corresponding with the second and third coronavirus disease 2019 wave in Belgium). Long sick leave was associated with older age, previous sick leave and low educational level.

Primary care providers receive little training in occupational and environmental medicine. We developed and evaluated an innovative virtual programme to teach occupational and environmental medicine to primary care providers in Ontario. Participants came from medicine, nursing, psychology, occupational and physical therapy, chiropractic, kinesiology, social work, and pharmacy. Sixty-seven participants completed both pre- and post-questionnaires. There was high acceptability and satisfaction, with gains in self-efficacy and, to a lesser extent, knowledge after the programme.

This survey highlights that the veterinary profession defines work-related injuries in a highly varied and nuanced way. Equine and production animal veterinarians define an event as injury if it reduces their ability to perform work or results in medical treatment. Injuries have become normalized and accepted as an everyday occurrence; resulting in many injuries not being reported. This work shows that the veterinary profession has a concerning attitude to work-related injuries.

This cohort study of 6935 Australian bauxite mine and alumina refinery workers presents mortality and cancer risk data. A substantial healthy worker effect was demonstrated. Excess mortality rates were found for mesothelioma amongst male employees, particularly production workers. Excess incident cases of mesothelioma were seen amongst male and female workers; melanoma amongst female workers; and lip, prostate and thyroid cancer amongst male workers. Sun protection measures are essential. Further thyroid cancer investigation is required.

Domestic abuse (DA) is highly prevalent and damages health. Healthcare professionals are expected to identify DA and refer patients to support services, but scant research has explored healthcare professionals’ own experiences of DA. Our study highlights the wide-ranging harms of DA on their work and careers, including on patient care. Numerous work-related barriers hinder support-seeking both at work and from specialist services.

The global occupational fatality injury rate within primary industries (farming, fishing and forestry) varied from 0.9 to 265.2 during the period 2010–2015. Upper-income countries had lower injury rates. No significant time trend was observed. The data, from the International Labour Organization ILO-STAT database, included information from 32 countries, but several nations had incomplete data. These findings emphasize the necessity for improvements in both reporting mechanisms and preventive measures for occupational injuries within these industries.

This study evaluated the medical and socioeconomic factors affecting return-to-work times after elective cholecystectomy. Results showed that older age, lack of medical insurance and high-intensity jobs were correlated with delayed return-to-work times after cholecystectomy. These insights can provide guidance for patient counselling and possible cost reductions related to prolonged recovery.