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. 2018 Dec 13;15(12):2849.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph15122849.

Occupational Diseases among Workers in Lower and Higher Socioeconomic Positions

Henk F van der Molen  1 , Sanne de Vries  2 , Judith K Sluiter  3
Affiliations

Occupational Diseases among Workers in Lower and Higher Socioeconomic Positions

Henk F van der Molen et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: To determine differences between workers in lower and higher socioeconomic positions (SEP) in incidences of occupational disease (OD) and incapacity for work due to ODs. Methods: From a Dutch dynamic prospective cohort of occupational physicians (OPs), ODs assessed by OPs were retrieved for lower and higher SEP groups. Results: Among the lower SEP, musculoskeletal disorders, and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) comprised two-thirds of the OD diagnoses. Among the higher SEP, stress/burnout comprised 60% of the OD diagnoses. Temporary and permanent incapacity for work due to work-related lower back disorders and repetitive strain injuries differed significantly between workers in lower compared to higher SEP. Conclusions: Occupational diseases occur at a 2.7 higher incidence rate for workers in lower SEP compared with higher SEP. Incapacity for work varies between the type of OD and the level of SEP.

Keywords: incapacity for work; occupational disease; socioeconomic position.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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