Introduction to Occupational Health in Public Health Practice

by Healey, Bernard J.

• ISBN13: 9780763745240
• ISBN10: 0763745243
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-01
• Publisher: JONES & BARTLETT PUBLISHERS

Summary

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the costs associated with delivering health care services in this country could reach 20 percent of Gross Domestic Product by the year 2014. There is a demonstrated need for a greater emphasis on prevention of disease rather than cure. Since most Americans spend the majority of their day at work, the workplace seems to be the ideal location for the use of public health expertise to develop, implement and evaluate safety and health programs. Principles of Occupational Safety and Health in Public Health Practice is unique text that will give the reader a deep understanding of how to create a workplace that is safe and healthy in terms of both physical work environment and personal wellness of employees. It examines how worksite interventions should be structured, implemented, and evaluated in order to systematically document the ultimate return on investment in terms of improved employee health outcomes, reduced medical and disability costs, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity and job satisfaction at the workplace. This text addresses topics not covered by other texts such as: The need for an understanding of mental health issues in the promotion of occupational health and safety. Information on training others at a particular site to monitor the safety and health of their co-workers, a key component in the success of on-site safety and health programs. Workplace safety necessities like disaster response, hazardous materials and bioterrorism issues. This text is ideal for both undergraduate and graduate students majoring in public health and may also be of interest to health care administration majors and non-health care majors.