The Hidden Epidemic

It has been called the hidden epidemic, with staggering human and economic costs. On an average day, 17 people will be killed on the job in the U.S. and another 170 will die from job-related illnesses. Over 36,000 people will suffer injuries and approximately 3,000 work-related illnesses will occur each day. Added up over the year, the direct costs of work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths are huge, totaling over $150 billion. This is more than five times the cost of AIDs and almost as much as the combined costs of all cancers. Yet the problem remains largely hidden from the general public.

Who is at risk? Today, hazardous working conditions aren't limited to people employed in heavy manufacturing or on assembly lines. Workers from all walks of life can be affected: transit workers, electricians, computer users, janitors, nurses, grocery checkers, and others. What is most tragic is that many job-related injuries and illnesses, often characterized as “accidents”, arise from known hazards. In other words, many injuries and illnesses can be prevented.

Working people deserve better protection. And the best way control pollution and environmental hazards is to at the source, in the workplace. Protecting workers also protects our communities.

Yet most health professionals receive little training in identifying or treating work-related illnesses. OHIP's goals are to:

• Educate future health professionals about work-related medical conditions so that they can integrate this knowledge into their future work with patients or in research,
• Recruit, train, mentor, and inspire a new generation of occupational safety and health professionals,
• Build a partnership between health researchers and workers, so that practical and feasible solutions to can be identified and implemented.