Elham Saadiani, Mohsen Sadeghi-Yarandi, Amirreza Nasiri, Saba Kalanatary
{"title":"Assessing Long-Term Impacts of Occupational Welding Fume Exposure on Respiratory Health: A 5-Year Retrospective Cohort Analysis.","authors":"Elham Saadiani, Mohsen Sadeghi-Yarandi, Amirreza Nasiri, Saba Kalanatary","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003305","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Welding in automobile manufacturing exposes workers to harmful fumes, impacting pulmonary function. This study examined changes in pulmonary function among welders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1200 welders and 1200 administrative staff in the automotive industry from 2018 to 2022. Pulmonary function tests were performed according to ATS guidelines, and metal fume sampling for copper, iron, and lead was conducted in welders' respiratory zones.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Fe were 0.124, 0.117, and 1.42 mg/m3, respectively. Pb exceeded TLV-TWA. Welders showed significantly lower pulmonary function compared to the control group (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Prolonged exposure to welding fumes significantly reduces pulmonary function, necessitating preventive measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142911340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michaela M Keener, Gavin C Vice, Kimberly I Tumlin, Nicholas R Heebner
{"title":"Workday Habits and Fatigue of American Jockeys.","authors":"Michaela M Keener, Gavin C Vice, Kimberly I Tumlin, Nicholas R Heebner","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>1) Characterize the workday habits of American jockeys, and 2) Evaluate the relationship between workday habits and fatigue through changes in postural stability (balance) across their workday.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-seven jockeys participated in pre- and post-race day testing. Jockeys completed questionnaires on workday habits and a two-minute balance test with tri-axial accelerometers on the unstable surface and sacrum.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median caloric intake during their workday was 263.8 kcal. Wilcoxon-signed rank tests reported no significant changes in balance across the workday. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlations existed between sleep (τ = -0.41) and number of races ridden (τ = 0.37) with balance variables.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>American jockeys exhibit weight-cycling behaviors, primarily restricted caloric and fluid intake. No changes were evaluated in balance across the workday. Future research should focus on evaluating other fatigue mechanisms involving abdominal muscle fatigue and cognitive fatigue.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142911352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integrating Worker Health Education in Community Agencies to Address Immigrant Worker Health: A Pilot Implementation Trial.","authors":"Jenny Hsin-Chun Tsai, Jerald R Herting","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This pilot trial aimed to determine implementation processes and outcomes to integrate Basic Worker Health Education (WHEB) in co-ethnic, not directly worker-focused, community agencies that function as cultural-linguistic brokers and service providers to immigrants.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A Chinese WHEB prototype was developed and implemented at Chinese, Pan-Asian, and nonprofit community-based and Chinese faith-based organizations (N = 8). The implementation process (delivery model choice and areas for change) and outcomes (suitability and adoption sustainability) were evaluated qualitatively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The agencies selected four delivery models. Five agencies reached ≥70% of their target goal. Respondents described the chosen delivery models as suitable for the varying agency contexts. Three agencies continued WHEB; reasons for continuing or not continuing were identified.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings highlight strategies to enhance the uptake and diffusion of worker health educational interventions in community settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142911343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Steven D Stellman, Anica Pless Kaiser, Brian N Smith, Avron Spiro, Jeanne Mager Stellman
{"title":"Impact of Persistent Combat-Related PTSD on Heart Disease and Chronic Disease Comorbidity in Aging Vietnam Veterans.","authors":"Steven D Stellman, Anica Pless Kaiser, Brian N Smith, Avron Spiro, Jeanne Mager Stellman","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess combat and combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as risk factors for heart disease and non-cardiac chronic disease comorbidity in deployed Vietnam veterans 50 years post-War.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A random sample of 735 Vietnam-deployed American Legionnaires was surveyed in 1984, 1998, and 2000 for combat exposure, probable PTSD, and history of diagnosed chronic illnesses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-eight percent reported a diagnosed heart condition; combat exposure in Vietnam was a significant predictor (OR = 1.92, 95% confidence interval 1.13-3.31). Veterans with heart disease reported significantly more comorbid chronic illnesses, including arthritis and respiratory conditions: sleep apnea, emphysema, and asthma. Chronic illnesses were reported more often by men with PTSD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Emerging evidence suggests that 50 years after Vietnam combat and associated PTSD may contribute to heart disease and comorbid conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142857450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dominic Etli, Antonina Wiewior, Alex Malone, Ken Locke, Nicholas Bullock, Raina Howard
{"title":"The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Work Absence: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Workers.","authors":"Dominic Etli, Antonina Wiewior, Alex Malone, Ken Locke, Nicholas Bullock, Raina Howard","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003289","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003289","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Compare SARS-CoV-2 infection and work absence rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees during a two-year pandemic period.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cross-sectional study with 2,107 participants. Primary outcome: total days missed; main exposure: vaccination status. Analyses included t-tests to compare absence days and ANOVA to evaluate confounders. Mixed-effects logistic regression assessed infection risk, incorporating community prevalence as a fixed effect and work location as a random effect.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Vaccinated employees missed slightly fewer days (0.16 days), though not statistically significant (p = 0.574). Symptom severity and job status were linked to higher absenteeism. Vaccination had a small but significant protective effect (p = 0.045). Remote work correlated moderately with reduced absenteeism.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Vaccination lowered infection risk but not absenteeism due to uniform quarantine policies. Remote work reduced absenteeism and should be integrated into future interventions to support vulnerable workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142857451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katharina B Ruettger, Scott A Willis, James A King, Stacy A Clemes
{"title":"Assessment of UK Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers' lifestyle behaviours: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Katharina B Ruettger, Scott A Willis, James A King, Stacy A Clemes","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003296","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers face difficult working conditions, promoting unhealthy lifestyle behaviours which are associated with an elevated prevalence of long-term health conditions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>109 drivers across the UK completed an online survey investigating differences in lifestyle behaviours between drivers with (N = 54) and without obesity (N = 55), including differences on work and non-workdays using an exploratory data analysis approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Drivers with obesity (49.6%) perceived more barriers to healthy eating and being active than drivers without obesity. Drivers with obesity reported choosing more unhealthy options as snacks, ate more often at fast-food chains, and fewer fulfilled the physical activity guidelines. Additionally, the two groups differed regarding food and beverage choices on work and non-workdays.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>HGV drivers with obesity exhibit various dietary and physical activity behaviours associated with overnutrition and poor cardiometabolic health.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142857448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katelyn C Vala, Joanna S Fishbein, Mayer H Bellehsen, Nidhi Parashar, Andrew C Yacht, John Q Young, Rebecca M Schwartz
{"title":"Patterns of Mental Health and Resilience among Nurses and Physicians throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-Year Longitudinal Study.","authors":"Katelyn C Vala, Joanna S Fishbein, Mayer H Bellehsen, Nidhi Parashar, Andrew C Yacht, John Q Young, Rebecca M Schwartz","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003291","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased difficulties in emotional wellbeing among healthcare workers. The current investigation assesses how changes in depression and anxiety symptoms fluctuate relative to resilience across three time points: baseline, one-year, and two-year follow up among a cohort of physicians and nurses (N = 728).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Generalized linear mixed modeling for repeated measures was used to assess the association between resilience and mental health symptoms using validated measures for all variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The odds of probable anxiety were reduced by 81% for each one-unit increase in resilience ( OR = 0.19, 95% CI [0.14, 0.26]). The odds of probable depression were reduced by 88% for each one-unit increase in BRS ( OR = 0.12, 95% CI [0.07, 0.2]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Results highlight the importance of developing and implementing interventions that foster resilience among healthcare workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142786966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Deborah Morris, Wendy Dean, Elanor Webb, Jack Wainwright, Roisin Hampden, Simon Talbot
{"title":"Guidance for creating morally healthy organizations that remediate the experience of moral injury in healthcare: Findings from an international e-Delphi study.","authors":"Deborah Morris, Wendy Dean, Elanor Webb, Jack Wainwright, Roisin Hampden, Simon Talbot","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003285","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003285","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To date, research and policy directives have focused on identifying individual risk factors for moral injury, with less attention to solutions for establishing non-morally injurious cultures and practices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Experts with academic or clinical knowledge of moral injury were recruited to a three-round e-Delphi survey exploring descriptors and characteristics of non-morally injurious organisations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-nine, forty-one and thirty-nine experts responded at each round. Morally 'healthy', 'congruent' and 'centred' were endorsed as descriptors for non-morally injurious organisations. Consensus was also obtained on 111 characteristics and behaviours relating to organisational identity (e.g., just culture), behaviours and practices (e.g., transparency in decision-making), and self-awareness (e.g., monitoring of moral injury in workforce).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings implicate the need for a strengths-oriented, solution-focused approach to addressing moral injury. The recommendations proposed warrant evaluation and operationalisation within formal guidance.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142815410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jenni Ervasti, Jaakko Airaksinen, Jaana Pentti, Johanna Kausto, Matti Joensuu, Tuula Oksanen, Mika Kivimäki, Jussi Vahtera
{"title":"Psychosocial risks and resources at work and employee wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: time series of cross-sections.","authors":"Jenni Ervasti, Jaakko Airaksinen, Jaana Pentti, Johanna Kausto, Matti Joensuu, Tuula Oksanen, Mika Kivimäki, Jussi Vahtera","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We examined the relationships between psychosocial factors and employee wellbeing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Survey data were from Finnish public sector employees from 2018 (T1 = before), 2020 (T2 = during), and 2022 (T3 = after the pandemic) (n = 29,360). Employee wellbeing was measured with self-rated health, work ability, and recovery from work. The generalized linear models using Poisson distribution were adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, obesity, and health behaviors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Psychosocial factors were associated with suboptimal employee wellbeing in every timepoint. The association between high effort-reward imbalance and suboptimal work ability was strongest during the pandemic (risk ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.47-1.59). The association between high job strain and suboptimal recovery from work was stronger during the pandemic (1.49, 1.46-1.52) than post-pandemic (1.45, 1.43-1.48).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Job stress had the strongest associations with suboptimal wellbeing during the pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142815411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hanzi Jiang, Tim Schwirtlich, Molly Beestrum, Dustin D French, Megan McHugh
{"title":"Economic Evaluations of Worksite Health Centers: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Hanzi Jiang, Tim Schwirtlich, Molly Beestrum, Dustin D French, Megan McHugh","doi":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003300","DOIUrl":"10.1097/JOM.0000000000003300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To systematically review the cost-effectiveness or return on investment (ROI) from worksite health centers (WHCs) in the US.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched four databases and the grey literature for studies that conducted economic evaluation and provided economic outcomes of US-based WHCs. The quality and risk of bias were assessed using JBI Critical Appraisal Tools of Economic Evaluations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Nine reported WHCs were cost-effective or yielded positive ROI for employers, with annual cost savings per WHC ranging from $35,479 to $2,124,723 and ROI from $1.09 to $15.88 per $1 of investment. Key contributors to higher ROI included company size, utilization, and duration of operations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>WHCs may provide economic savings for large employers. Future studies should consider clinical effectiveness and service quality and investigate the specific mechanisms driving employer cost savings.Protocol Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42024506086).</p>","PeriodicalId":94100,"journal":{"name":"Journal of occupational and environmental medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142815408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}