“We need to talk to each other”

Crossing traditional boundaries between public health and occupational health to address Covid-19

Bibliographic Data

ID22067812
AuthorsPamela Hopwood (0000-0003-1077-3181, University of Waterloo), Ellen Maceachen (0000-0001-6477-7650, University of Waterloo, corresponding author), Shannon E Majowicz (0000-0002-0006-8369, University of Waterloo), Samantha B Meyer (0000-0002-2098-2828, University of Waterloo), Joyceline Amoako (0000-0001-8843-2737, University of Waterloo)
Year2022
Volume10
Pages1046628-1046628
Publication date2022-12-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.1046628
PMID36561864
OpenAlexW4311706233
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited15

Introduction: This study examined how public health (PH) and occupational health (OH) sectors worked together and separately, in four different Canadian provinces to address COVID-19 as it affected at-risk workers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 OH and PH experts between June to December 2021. Responses about how PH and OH worked across disciplines to protect workers were analyzed. Methods: We conducted a qualitative analysis to identify Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) in multisectoral collaboration, and implications for prevention approaches. Results: We found strengths in the new ways the PH and OH worked together in several instances; and identified weaknesses in the boundaries that constrain PH and OH sectors and relate to communication with the public. Threats to worker protections were revealed in policy gaps. Opportunities existed to enhance multisectoral PH and OH collaboration and the response to the risk of COVID-19 and potentially other infectious diseases to better protect the health of workers. Discussion: Multisectoral collaboration and mutual learning may offer ways to overcome challenges that threaten and constrain cooperation between PH and OH. A more synchronized approach to addressing workers' occupational determinants of health could better protect workers and the public from infectious diseases

Business · Disease · Environmental health · Occupational safety and health · Pathology · Political science · Public health · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Strengths and weaknesses · SWOT Analysis · Infection Control and Ventilation · Medicine · Nursing · Occupational Health and Safety Research · Psychology · Public Health Policies and Education · Social Psychology · Marketing