June 5, 2015

At the Plenary Session of the ICOH 2015, Prof. Nico Dragano, University of Duesseldorf, Germany, stressed on the ‘Role of Work as a Crucial Factor in Generating Health Inequalities in the Population’.

Prof. Dragano explores patterns of health inequality. His aim is to discuss the contribution that OSH interventions can make to narrow the health gap. Individuals with lower income, lower educational level, or low occupational status face higher disease and mortality rates and substantially higher disease risks than those at higher socioeconomic stratums.

He outlined three pathways of occupational health inequalities. First, employment determines income and income determines access to healthy living conditions.

Second, work and employment conditions can mediate the association between socioeconomic status and health outcomes. Third, disadvantaged persons are more likely to end up in low income, high-risk jobs.

Prof. Kim, Yangho, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Republic of Korea speaks out for the creating a culture of prevention in occupational health practice at the plenary session on 5^th June 2015.

Prof. Kim argues that a culture of prevention is needed to protect the health and well-being of working people. He believes that primary prevention should be given priority over secondary or tertiary prevention to manage workplace risks.

Therefore, special emphasis must be placed on leadership by top management in shaping and enacting effective preventive measures. He also believes that preventive actions that address diverse risks are needed to create a culture of prevention that creates an atmosphere in which workers take part in comprehensive risk management that improves many facets of work life.