Occupational Health among Latino Workers: A Needs Assessment and Recommended Interventions

Abstract

Evidence suggests that Latino workers, along with other minority and low-income workers, face a higher risk for occupational disease than do other workers. Targeted surveillance and primary prevention interventions have been lacking or inadequate. The authors estimate the number of occupational disease deaths and new cases in Latino workers in the United States. Then, using data from New York City, they find that Latino workers are disproportionately employed in more hazardous occupations and under-represented in less hazardous jobs. They suggest a comprehensive approach to address workplace disease in Latino workers, which involves primary prevention interventions, clinical services, educational approaches, research and surveillance, unionization and organization of workers, and legislation and regulation.