Occupational Health: An International Overview (Summary)

Abstract

In 1976, the World Health Organization reviewed a number of official country reports and surveys showing an enormous toll of morbidity and mortality from diseases and accidents attributable directly or indirectly to working conditions.* The situation appears to be unabated in many industrialized countries where new work hazards continue to arise or require more vigorous intervention. In developing countries, industrialization, work mechanization and stressful conditions at work have been associated with physical and mental health prlblems. These are on the increase in these countries where the acceleration of socio-economic change renders more people susceptible. Industrialization with little attention to the control of work environment has entailed new interactive effects which aggravate existing diseases and contribute to ill-health. The same thing applies to mechanization of agriculture in developing countries which introduces new health risks to a vast number of working people, particularly in the developing world.