COVID-19 Marked a Change in the Scope of Occupational Medicine from Occupational to Work-Related Diseases and Total Worker Health®
Main Article Content
Keywords
Occupational Health; Infectious diseases; Working settings SUMMARY
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic challenged occupational medicine, while its focus had already shifted from occupational diseases to work-related illnesses. Such a broader scope allowed the inclusion of transmissible diseases among the causes for concern in working settings. COVID-19 has had a profound impact globally, resulting in millions of infections, often lethal. From its appearance, COVID-19 was found to affect specific groups of workers at higher risk of contracting the virus due to their occupation or workplace conditions, which accounts for its consideration as a potential work-related disease. This overview examines various aspects of COVID-19 based on articles published in our journal. Specifically, the epidemiology of COVID-19 is discussed, including mortality rates and groups at higher risk. The diagnosis, measures to prevent contagion, vaccination efforts, long-term effects, and psychosocial factors are also summarized. The emerging picture is that COVID-19 has been a trigger accelerating the change of paradigm of occupational medicine, which is more and more concerned with prevention. Occupational Health contributes to health promotion and Total Worker Health®.
References
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38. Iavicoli I, Spatari G, Chosewood LC and Schulte PA. Occupational Medicine and Total Worker Health®: from preventing health and safety risks in the workplace to promoting health for the total well-being of the worker. Med Lav. 2022; 113(6), e2022054. DOI :https:// doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v113i6.13891
2. Alicandro G, Remuzzi G, La Vecchia C. COVID-19 pandemic and total mortality in the first six months of 2020 in Italy. Med Lav. 2020;111(5):351-353. Published 2020 Oct 31. doi:https://doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v111i5.10786
3. Alicandro G, Remuzzi G, Centanni S, Gerli A, La Vecchia C. Excess total mortality in 2021 in Italy was about one third of that observed in 2020. Med Lav. 2021;112(6):414-421. Published 2021 Dec 23. doi:https://doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v112i6.12601
4. Alicandro G, Remuzzi G, Centanni S, Gerli A, La Vecchia C. Excess total mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic in Italy: updated estimates indicate persistent excess in recent months. Med Lav. 2022;113(2):e2022021. Published 2022 Apr 26. doi:https://doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v113i2.13108
5. Alicandro G, Remuzzi G, Centanni S, Gerli A, La Vecchia C. No excess mortality among working-age Ital-ians during the Omicron wave of Covid-19. Med Lav. 2022;113(3):e2022030. Published 2022 Jun 28. doi:https://doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v113i3.13092
6. Alicandro G, Gerli AG, Remuzzi G, Centanni S, La Vecchia C. Updated estimates of excess total mortality in Italy during the circulation of the BA.2 and BA.4-5 Omicron variants: April-July 2022. Med Lav. 2022;113(5):e2022046. Published 2022 Oct 24. doi:10.23749/mdl.v113i5.13825
7. Alicandro G, Gerli AG, Centanni S, Remuzzi G, La Vecchia C. Excess Total Mortality in Italy: An Update to February 2023 with Focus on Working Ages. Med Lav. 2023;114(3):e2023028. Published 2023 Jun 12. doi:https://doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v114i3.14740
8. Alicandro G, Gerli A, Santucci C, Centanni S, Remuzzi G, La Vecchia C. No Excess Total Mortality in Italy in the First Semester of 2023 at All Ages and in the Working Age Population. Med Lav. 2023;114(5):e2023050. Published 2023 Oct 24. doi:https://doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v114i5.15275
9. Zocchetti C, Bonzini M. Still Unanswered Questions About SARS-CoV-2 Mortality and Future Direc-tions for Occupational Medicine. Med Lav. 2023;114(3):e2023030. Published 2023 Jun 12. doi:10.23749/mdl.v114i3.14812
10. De Matteis S, Cencedda V, Pilia I, Cocco P. COVID-19 incidence in a cohort of public transport work-ers. Med Lav. 2022;113(4):e2022039. Published 2022 Aug 25. doi:10.23749/mdl.v113i4.13478
11. Marinaccio A, Brusco A, Bucciarelli A, D'Amario S, Iavicoli S. Temporal trend in the compensation claim applications for work-related COVID-19 in Italy. Med Lav. 2021;112(3):219-228. Published 2021 Jun 15. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i3.11157
12. Garzaro G, Clari M, Ciocan C, et al. COVID-19 infection and diffusion among the healthcare workforce in a large university-hospital in northwest Italy. Med Lav. 2020;111(3):184-194. Published 2020 Jun 26. doi:10.23749/mdl.v111i3.9767
13. Visci G, Zunarelli C, Mansour I, et al. Serological response after SARS-CoV2 vaccination in healthcare workers: a multicenter study. Med Lav. 2022;113(2):e2022022. Published 2022 Apr 26. doi:
14. Visci G, Zunarelli C, Violante F, Boffetta P. Application of SARS-CoV-2 Antigenic Test in asymptomatic workers: sensitivity and specificity of the test. Med Lav. 2021;112(5):340-345. Published 2021 Oct 28. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i5.12097
15. Coggiola M, Cavallo R, Grillo E, et al. SARS-CoV-2 infection: use and effectiveness of antigenic swab for the health surveillance of healthcare workers. Med Lav. 2021;112(6):444-452. Published 2021 Dec 23. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i6.12125
16. Larese Filon F, Purpuri A, Camata D, et al. Low sensitivity of rapid tests detecting anti-CoV-2 IgG and IgM in health care workers' serum for COVID-19 screening. Med Lav. 2021;112(5):331-339. Published 2021 Oct 28. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i5.11798
17. Ferrari L, Nigro S, Bordini L, Carugno M, Bollati V. SARS-CoV-2 tests in occupational settings: what you look for is what you get. Med Lav. 2021;112(3):183-193. Published 2021 Jun 15. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i3.11472
18. Cacco T, Fragale M, Sampieri C, et al. Modified full-face snorkeling mask for thoracic surgery and oto-laryngology surgical use: comfort and usability assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Med Lav. 2021;112(2):107-114. Published 2021 Apr 20. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i2.10032
19. Ciocan C, Clari M, Fabbro D, et al. Impact of wearing a surgical mask on respiratory function in view of a widespread use during COVID-19 outbreak. A case-series study. Med Lav. 2020;111(5):354-364. Pub-lished 2020 Oct 31. doi:10.23749/mdl.v111i5.9766
20. Collatuzzo G, Mansour I, Ciocan C, et al. Effectiveness of prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among unvaccinated Italian healthcare workers. Med Lav. 2022;113(6):e2022050. Published 2022 Dec 7. doi:10.23749/mdl.v113i6.13577
21. Declementi M, Godono A, Mansour I, et al. Assessment of air and surfaces contamination in a COVID-19 non-Intensive Care Unit. Med Lav. 2020;111(5):372-378. Published 2020 Oct 31. doi:10.23749/mdl.v111i5.9991
22. Visci G, Zunarelli C, Violante F, Boffetta P. One year of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: comparison of infection between health care workers and general population before and after vaccination. Med Lav. 2021;112(6):436-443. Published 2021 Dec 23. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i6.12213
23. La Vecchia C, Alicandro G, Negri E, Scarpino V, Coggiola M, Spatari G. Attitudes towards COVID-19 vac-cination and containment measures in Italy and the role of occupational physicians. Med Lav. 2022;113(2):e2022018. Published 2022 Apr 26. doi:10.23749/mdl.v113i2.12967
24. Sansone E, Sala E, Tiraboschi M, et al. Effectiveness of BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers. Med Lav. 2021;112(3):250-255. Published 2021 Jun 15. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i3.11747
25. Mendola M, Tonelli F, Garletti FS, et al. COVID-19 impact and vaccine effectiveness among healthcare workers of a large University Hospital in Lombardy, Italy. Med Lav. 2021;112(6):453-464. Published 2021 Dec 23. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i6.11983
26. Borroni E, Consonni D, Cugno M, et al. Side effects among healthcare workers from a large Milan uni-versity hospital after second dose of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Med Lav. 2021;112(6):477-485. Published 2021 Dec 23. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i6.12507
27. Coggiola M, Clemente G, Frammartino R, et al. SARS-CoV-2 infection: efficacy of extensive vaccination of the healthcare workforce in a large Italian hospital. Med Lav. 2021;112(6):465-476. Published 2021 Dec 23. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i6.12124
28. Mendola M, Leoni M, Cozzi Y, et al. Long-term COVID symptoms, work ability and fitness to work in healthcare workers hospitalized for Sars-CoV-2 infection. Med Lav. 2022;113(5):e2022040. Published 2022 Oct 24. doi:10.23749/mdl.v113i5.13377
29. Marcolongo F, Ottaviani M, Romano P, et al. The role of resilience and coping among Italian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Med Lav. 2021;112(6):496-505. Published 2021 Dec 23. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i6.12285
30. Amirmahani M, Hasheminejad N, Tahernejad S, Reza Tohidi Nik H. Evaluation of work ability index and its association with job stress and musculoskeletal disorders among midwives during the Covid-19 pandemic. Med Lav. 2022;113(4):e2022031. Published 2022 Aug 25. doi:10.23749/mdl.v113i4.12834
31. Brera AS, Arrigoni C, Dellafiore F, et al. Burnout syndrome and its determinants among healthcare workers during the first wave of the Covid-19 outbreak in Italy: a cross-sectional study to identify sex-related differences. Med Lav. 2021;112(4):306-319. Published 2021 Aug 26. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i4.11316
32. Di Tecco C, Ronchetti M, Russo S, et al. Implementing Smart Working in Public Administration: a follow up study. Med Lav. 2021;112(2):141-152. Published 2021 Apr 20. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i2.10595
33. Ghislieri C, Molino M, Dolce V, Sanseverino D, Presutti M. Work-family conflict during the Covid-19 pandemic: teleworking of administrative and technical staff in healthcare. An Italian study. Med Lav. 2021;112(3):229-240. Published 2021 Jun 15. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i3.11227
34. Karakaş N, Tekin Ç, Bentli R, Demir E. Cyberchondria, Covid-19 phobia, and well-being: a relational study on teachers. Med Lav. 2022;113(3):e2022027. Published 2022 Jun 28. doi:10.23749/mdl.v113i3.12661
35. Rahmani A, Dini G, Leso V, et al. Duration of SARS-CoV-2 shedding and infectivity in the working age population: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Med Lav. 2022;113(2):e2022014. Published 2022 Apr 26. doi:10.23749/mdl.v113i2.12724
36. Bontadi D, Bergamo L, Torri P, Patanè PA, Bertoldi A, Lonardi U. Effectiveness of the measures aimed at containing Sars-cov-2 virus spreading in work settings: a survey in companies based in the Veneto re-gion of Italy. Med Lav. 2020;111(5):404-410. Published 2020 Oct 31. doi:10.23749/mdl.v111i5.10037
37. Montecucco A, Dini G, Rahmani A, et al. Investigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission among co-workers in a University of Northern Italy during COVID-19 pandemic: an observational study. Med Lav. 2021;112(6):429-435. Published 2021 Dec 23. doi:10.23749/mdl.v112i6.12527
38. Iavicoli I, Spatari G, Chosewood LC and Schulte PA. Occupational Medicine and Total Worker Health®: from preventing health and safety risks in the workplace to promoting health for the total well-being of the worker. Med Lav. 2022; 113(6), e2022054. DOI :https:// doi.org/10.23749/mdl.v113i6.13891
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COVID-19 Marked a Change in the Scope of Occupational Medicine from Occupational to Work-Related Diseases and Total Worker Health® . Med Lav [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 7 [cited 2024 Jun. 30];114(6):e2023053. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/lamedicinadellavoro/article/view/15429
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How to Cite
1.
COVID-19 Marked a Change in the Scope of Occupational Medicine from Occupational to Work-Related Diseases and Total Worker Health® . Med Lav [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 7 [cited 2024 Jun. 30];114(6):e2023053. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/lamedicinadellavoro/article/view/15429
