Occupational Health
Global workers face high health risks with limited protection.
More than 85% of workers globally in informal sectors, lack occupational health coverage. Unsafe conditions lead to chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and preventable deaths, costing countries up to 6% of GDP. Yet investment in workplace health remains low despite strong returns.
Insights
Political: Regulatory enforcement is weak in informal sectors, limiting protection for the majority of the workforce.
Economic: Work-related health issues contribute to annual economic losses of 4–6% of GDP. Preventive occupational health services cost as little as $18–60 (USD) per worker but can reduce absenteeism by 27% and health-care costs for companies by 26%.
Social: Workers in agriculture, small enterprises, and the informal economy—often women and migrants—face systemic inequities in workplace safety, healthcare access, and social protection.
Technological: Few systems exist to monitor occupational hazards in real time. Digital tools for tracking health outcomes remain underutilized.
Legal: There are vast disparities in enforcement of occupational health and safety laws, especially for asbestos exposure, which still causes over 200,000 deaths annually despite bans in over 50 countries.
Environmental: Hazardous substances like asbestos, airborne particles, and noise pollution continue to be major risks, especially in construction and manufacturing, with limited oversight.
Reflective Questions
How can occupational health services be expanded to reach informal workers and migrants in low-resource settings?
What digital tools could enable real-time monitoring and prevention of workplace hazards?
How can policies combine mental health, safety, and equity to support worker well-being worldwide?
Related Insight Cards
References:
World Health Organization, n.d. Occupational health. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/occupational-health
World Health Organization, 2017. Protecting workers' health. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/protecting-workers'-health
World Health Organization, 2024. Asbestos. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asbestos
World Health Organization, 2024. Mental health at work. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work
