12.1: Introduction
Besides the home, many Americans spend the majority of their time at a workplace. This makes the workplace a common source of exposure to hazards that can cause illness or injury. When workers get sick, injured, or die from work-related hazards, their families, communities and taxpayers pay the brunt of the costs - from medical bills to lost productivity (Frumkin, 2016). Occupational health refers to a branch of public health that focuses on preventing workplace-related injuries and illnesses, and overall protecting the workforce and keeping working people healthy. This includes healthcare administration and worker’s compensation for work-related morbidity and mortality, as well as governmental policies setting restrictions on exposure to environmental toxins, safety guidelines and procedures, and worker’s rights. As of 2024, there are around 168 million Americans between the ages of 15-64 participating in the labor force, about 60% of the civilian population (BLS, 2024). The remaining 98 million Americans are often part of the unpaid workforce - providing caregiving to children, older adults, or those with disabilities, or perhaps living with a disability themselves. While occupational health focuses mostly on those employed, it should be recognized that the health of workers also directly affects the health of their families and communities.