Migrant Workers and Physical Health: An Umbrella Review

Nicola Mucci, Veronica Traversini, Gabriele Giorgi, Giacomo Garzaro, Javier Fiz-Perez, Marcello Campagna, Venerando Rapisarda, Eleonora Tommasi, Manfredi Montalti and Giulio Arcangeli
Additional contact information
Nicola Mucci: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy
Veronica Traversini: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy
Gabriele Giorgi: Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 190 Via degli Aldobrandeschi, I-00163 Rome, Italy
Giacomo Garzaro: Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, 94 Piazza Polonia, I-10126 Turin, Italy
Javier Fiz-Perez: Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 190 Via degli Aldobrandeschi, I-00163 Rome, Italy
Marcello Campagna: Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, SS 554 bivio Sestu, I-09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
Venerando Rapisarda: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 89 Via Santa Sofia, I-95123 Catania, Italy
Eleonora Tommasi: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy
Manfredi Montalti: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy
Giulio Arcangeli: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 23 Largo Piero Palagi, I-50139 Florence, Italy

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: Migrants are mainly employed in “3D jobs” which are dirty, dangerous, and difficult, are characterized by monotony and intense rhythms, and are found in sectors with higher risks such as construction, heavy industry, and agriculture. The aim of this study is to construct a systematic review in order to identify the main occupational risks and occupational diseases of this category. Research included articles published from 2013 to 2018 on major online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus), which were obtained using a combination of keywords (migrant workers, expatriates, physical health, diseases, illnesses, travel, travelers, work, and occupational medicine). The online search included 1109 references. We excluded 977 studies because they were unrelated to physical health and another 64 due to duplication. There were 68 articles which were analyzed, including six reviews and 62 original articles. The main risks which emerged are developing infectious diseases, metabolic cardiovascular diseases and manifesting a lower quality of life, in particular due to difficulties in accessing local health services. It will be crucial to implement the role of occupational medicine in order to introduce multilevel interventions designed to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, and to promote healthier working environments.

Keywords: migrant workers; expatriates; workplace; physical health; umbrella review; organizational psychology; occupational health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:232-:d:194978

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