Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

INTRODUCTION: The "Future of Work" refers to workplace modifications projected to occur after pandemics, other large-scale events that affect the health and safety of broad sectors of the workforce, technological advancements, or shifts in the economy. This paper examines the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Future of Work. METHODS: The electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus were explored using search terms such as "post-pandemic", "working force" and "future of work" for papers published between 2000 to 2023...

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OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the police and armed forces. METHODS: Participants (N = 242) completed an online survey that assessed post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), burnout, emotional suppression, and labour and sociodemographic variables. Mean difference, correlation, and stepwise linear regression tests were performed. RESULTS: One-third of participants showed severe PTSS, linked to patrolling duties, very frequent contact with other people, fear of contagion, perceived pandemic severity, living with at-risk people, taking a COVID-19 test, working more than normal, suffering an assault, having little vacation, and having to distance from loved ones...

OBJECTIVE: The early care and education (ECE) workforce experiences high rates of poor mental and physical health outcomes which impact staff well-being and burnout. This study aimed to assess the relationship between chronic health conditions and occupational burnout in ECE Head Start staff working in low-resourced locations. METHODS: This study administered an 89-item cross-sectional survey to 332 ECE staff employed in 42 Head Start centers in the United States...

BACKGROUND: U.S. nuclear capable shipyard workers have increased potential for occupational radiation exposure. OBJECTIVE: to examine solid tumor mortality risks at low doses. METHOD: 437,937 workers working from 1957 to 2004 at eight U.S. shipyards were studied. RESULTS: Radiation workers with a median life-time dose at 0.82 mSv had a significantly lower solid tumor mortality risk [Relative risk (RR): 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0...

OBJECTIVE: Firefighters are at increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), yet rates of CRC screening are low among this occupational group. This study examines perceived risks, barriers, and facilitators to CRC screening. METHODS: Three semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted by investigators in Tucson, AZ. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and themes in the data. RESULTS: Three groups of firefighters (8 male (57%); 6 female (43%) mean age 50...

OBJECTIVE: To test the relationship between different conceptualizations of job insecurity and health over time by applying a longitudinal design. METHODS: 543 workers were re-interviewed after one year to check if being exposed to job insecurity affected their general and mental health. Robust Poisson regressions were fitted to calculate the incidence rate ratio between job insecurities and two health outcomes. RESULTS: Cognitive job loss insecurity increases the risk of poor mental and general health...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of a workplace intervention to reduce and break up sitting. METHODS: Office workers were randomised in clusters to intervention (=22) or control (n = 22). The intervention included a height-adjustable workstation, education, computer prompt software and line manager support. Outcomes included device-measured workplace sitting and ecological momentary assessed (EMA) workplace productivity. Recruitment, retention and data completion rates were assessed...

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to characterise the approaches to collecting, coding, and reporting healthcare and medicines data within Australian workers' compensation schemes. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of data and information professionals in major Australian workers' compensation jurisdictions. Questionnaires were developed with input from key informants and a review of existing documentation. RESULTS: Twenty-five participants representing regulators (40%) and insurers (60%) with representation from all Australian jurisdictions were included...

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between physical activity (PA) and mental health among health professionals in southern Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 101 workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health and PA were assessed using the questionnaires. The association of PA with stress was tested by linear regression, and anxiety and depressive symptoms by Poisson regression. RESULTS: The stress was inversely associated with individuals who performed some PA (β:-3...

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on physiological and performance outcomes during a 120-m vertical high-rise ascent in firefighters with CRF levels at or above (higher-fit (HF)) and below (lower-fit (LF)) the national recommended minimum physical employment standard (O2max 42.3 ml·kg-1·min-1). METHODS: Twenty-eight firefighters completed two high-rise firefighting trials (continuous and discontinuous ascent with pre-determined 1-min rest breaks)...

OBJECTIVE: Opioid-related overdose deaths (OROD) increase annually, yet little is known about workplace risk factors. This study assessed differences in OROD rates across industry and occupation in Maryland, in addition to demographic differences within industry and occupation. METHODS: The 2018 State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) was used to compare OROD between industries and occupations. RESULTS: The leading industries in OROD included: construction, manufacturing, and transportation and warehousing...

OBJECTIVE: To estimate COVID-19 absenteeism and indirect costs, by care setting. METHODS: A population-based retrospective cohort study using data from the German Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) database to define outpatient (April 2020-December 2021) and hospitalized (April 2020-October 2022) cohorts of employed working-aged individuals. RESULTS: In the outpatient cohort (n = 369,220) median absenteeism duration and associated cost was 10...

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a scoping review of stressors in higher education institutions (HEIs), exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify successful interventions. METHODS: We reviewed 79 studies published between January 2020 and January 2023. RESULTS: Stressors were organized into psychosocial, organizational, and environmental categories. They included high job demand/low control; work/personal life imbalance; pressure to publish; lack of resources; low perceived organizational support; and fear of infection...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between workplace psychosocial, organization, and physical risk factors with low back pain (LBP) among U.S. workers. METHODS: 2015 National Health Interview Survey data was analyzed to calculate prevalences and prevalence ratios for LBP across levels of workplace psychosocial and organizational risk factors among 17,464 U.S. adult workers who worked ≥20 hours/week. Results were also stratified by workplace physical exertion...

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed firefighters' physiological stress response to a live fire training evolution (LFTE). METHODS: Seventy-six (n = 76) firefighters completed an LFTE. Salivary samples were collected pre-, immediately post, and 30-min post-LFTE and analyzed for α-amylase (AA), cortisol (CORT), and secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA). RESULTS: Concentrations of AA, CORT, and SIgA were elevated immediately post LFTE versus pre (p < 0...

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OBJECTIVE: To predict employees' long-term sick leave due to psychiatric disorders using the national psychological stress screening program. METHODS: University employees who took long-term psychiatric sick leave in 2016-2018 were assigned as cases. Those who were present at work and matched for sex, age, and occupation type were assigned as controls. Answers in a 57-item questionnaire were analyzed by multivariable regression, and a prediction model were developed...