Susceptibility to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Occupational Settings: The Complex Interplay between Individual and Workplace Factors

Veruscka Leso, Luca Fontana and Ivo Iavicoli
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Veruscka Leso: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Luca Fontana: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Ivo Iavicoli: Department of Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: In the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the definition of risk factors for susceptibility to adverse outcomes seems essential to support public and occupational health policies. Some specific issues need to be addressed to understand vulnerability in occupational settings. Among these, individual factors, e.g., age, sex, and preexisting comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, cancer), that can predispose individuals to more severe outcomes and post-COVID-19 symptoms that may represent conditions of acquired susceptibility, possibly impacting the return to—and fitness for—work. Additionally, the risk of contracting COVID-19 through work should be addressed, considering the probability of being in contact with infected people, physical proximity to others, and social aggregation during work. Occupational health settings may represent appropriate scenarios for the early identification of vulnerable subjects, with the final aim to guide risk assessment and management procedures. These should include the systematic surveillance of work-related risk factors, collective preventive policies, stringent actions for specific groups of workers, decisions on occupational placement of employees, and health promotion activities. Concerted actions of general practitioners, hospital specialists, occupational physicians, and all the stakeholders involved in the occupational health and safety management should be focused on planning suitable preventive measures for susceptible subjects.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; vulnerability; frailty; risk factors; severe COVID-19; mortality; comorbidities; risk assessment; risk management; occupational health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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