Social determinants of workers' health in Central America

Int J Occup Environ Health. 2011 Jul-Sep;17(3):230-7. doi: 10.1179/107735211799041986.

Abstract

This communication summarizes the available data on work-related determinants of health in Central America. The Central American working population is young and moving from agriculture toward industry and services. Ethnicity, gender, migration, subemployment and precarious work, informality, rural conditions, low-level educational, poverty, ubiquitous worksite health hazards, insufficient occupational health services, low labor inspection density, and weak unions define the constellation of social determinants of workers' health in Central America. Data are, however, scanty both for hazards and work-related illnesses and injuries. Governments and industries have the responsibility of opening decent work opportunities, especially for those facing multiple inequalities in social determinants of health. A first step would be the ratification and implementation of the ILO Convention (187) on occupational safety and health by the seven national governments of the region.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Central America / epidemiology
  • Developing Countries / statistics & numerical data
  • Emigration and Immigration / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Industry / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Occupations / statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sociology, Medical*
  • Young Adult