Reviews in the Burden of Disease Related to Occupational Risk Factors

Many of the 2.9 billion workers across the globe are exposed to hazardous risks at their workplaces, with almost two million people dying from work-related causes each year. According to WHO/ILO, the majority of work-related deaths are due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Addressing the burden of occupational disease prevalence and estimation contributes to understanding both the magnitude and relative importance of different occupational hazards and provides critical information for targeting risk reduction to pave the way for healthier, safer, and more productive workforces that can thrive without compromising their well-being.

Work-related diseases and injuries strain health systems, reduce productivity, and can have a catastrophic impact on household income. Focused scoping, planning, costing, implementation, and evaluation of effective interventions to improve workers' population health and health equity are needed by policymakers at country, regional and global levels.

To address this critical issue, Frontiers in Public Health is pleased to announce a Research Topic dedicated to comprehensive reviews in the field of the Burden of Disease Related to Occupational Risk Factors. By examining the burden of disease caused by occupational risk factors, this collection aims to raise awareness and foster dialogue on how to protect and promote the well-being of workers worldwide. Furthermore, as this collection aims to scrutinize the burden of disease associated with specific occupations, by highlighting successful interventions and learning from international experiences, this collection can inspire the development of comprehensive strategies that can be adapted in different contexts.

In addition, this Research Topic aims to provide an extensive compilation of critical reviews that summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge, identify research gaps, and propose recommendations for future research and interventions in this field. Authors are encouraged to submit reviews that cover a wide range of topics that explore the nuanced complexities and potential solutions to alleviate the burden of disease related to occupational risk factors. Some themes include:

• Specific occupational diseases and conditions that result from the different occupational risk factors (i.e., respiratory ailments in mining or musculoskeletal disorders in construction);

• Occupational stress – the psychological toll that work environments can have on employees and associated disease co-morbidities;

• Physical hazards (i.e., chemical exposures, ergonomic risks, and noise pollution);

• Preventive measures and best practices to reduce the burden of disease related to occupational risk factors through a change in the work patterns and systems;

• Reduction measures to reduce the burden of occupational risk factors where prevention cannot be immediately implemented and achieved;

• Impact of emerging technologies and their potential risks, such as the rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace and its effects on mental health or the challenges brought by remote work arrangements;

• Global perspectives on occupational risk factors, studying different regulatory frameworks and policies aimed at protecting workers' health and minimizing the burden of disease worldwide;

• Long-term implications of occupational risk factors on worker’s health.

Please note that only Review article types are accepted in this collection and that submissions of other article types will be transferred out of the Research Topic.