THE ROLE OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONALS IN TACKLING HEALTH INEQUALITIES: A FOCUS ON TWO OF MARMOTS OBJECTIVES.
Introduction.
Health inequality is a common term used to refer to the differences, variations, and disparities in the health achievements of individuals and groups. (Kawachi I, 2002) . These differences, which are largely preventable, are more common among people or groups that are socioeconomically disadvantaged.
A relationship exists between health inequalities and the nature of work. Health-damaging work conditions are more common amongst groups that are at the bottom of the socioeconomic gradient. (Marmot, 2010). As a solution to tackling inequalities in the social determinants of health, one of the Marmot Review’s policy objectives is to create fair employment and good work for all. (Strategic Review of Health Inequalities in England post-2010, 2010). Another closely related Marmot Review policy is the creation and development of healthy and sustainable communities. The earlier objective is more related to pay. The second objective however, is linked to equalities associated with the physical environment. (Institute of Health Equity, 2015).
There is a substantial consequence on health due to work related factors. According to statistics obtained for the year 2013 and 2014, it is estimated that around 1.2 million Working people in Great Britain had an illness or condition that is believed to have been caused or aggravated by their present or previous work employment. Over 450,000 of these were new conditions that began during the years in review. In 2013-14, Over 629,000 injuries occurred at work, 148,000 of which led to more than seven days’ absence. (Office for Nationnal Statistics, 2014). The financial impact on the British economy arising from Ill health and injuries is estimated to be around £14.9bn in 2012-13 (Health and Safety Executive, 2014), with 23.5 million days lost due to work-related ill health and 4.7 million days due to workplace injury in 2013-14. (Office for Nationnal Statistics, 2014). Siegrist J,2009 found out that Strong evidence now links occupational related stress, the difference between the burdens of work and the extent of control over ones job or the imbalance between the number of hours put in at work and remuneration, with negative health consequences including poor self-reported physical and psychiatric disorder and heart disease (Siegrist J, 2009). One of the resulting implication of these findings is unfair and avoidable life threatening conditions mostly concentrated on groups that are at the bottom of the social gradient of unemployment who are more likely to take up jobs that involves higher risk.
One of the primary aim of a Health, safety and environment (HSE) professional is to ensure the promotion of a safe and healthy working environment. HSE professionals have a huge role to play in the prevention of work place injuries and incidents through training and orientation. Kin et al., 2000 in a research on the assessment of the effect of safety orientation and training on injury prevention among plumbers and pipefitters found out that only 3% of worker who participated in the training experienced injuries, 58% of workers that experienced injuries lacked the relevant training skills. (Kinn S, 2000). Helen Lingard in a similar research assessed the impact of first aid training on observed safety practice in workers and observed a significant improvement in the use of personal protective equipment among the workers before and after the training. (Helen, 2002).
Paul et al. (2007) posits that health inequalities are also determined substantially by the availability of resources to which an individual or a group have easy access. The Neighbourhood is one of the primary source of resources, some of these resources such as parks, wholesome food stores, quality schools, and active neighbourhood organisations have positive impacts, and others such as pollution, liquor stores, violence and inferior law enforcement, and low level of interpersonal trust contribute negatively to health of the inhabitants. (Paul Bernarda, 2007). Furthermore, Jerrett et al (2005) in their study of the association between chronic exposure to neighbourhood level of air pollution in Hamilton (Ontario) with mortality after controlling for collective social and demographic variables concluded that there exists a large and substantial relation between air pollution exposure and premature, all-cause, cardio-respiratory and cancer mortality. (M. Jerrett, 2005).
Health safety and environment (HSE) professionals can play a key role in ensuring that the neighbourhoods we live in are healthy more especially to individuals that are socioeconomically at a disadvantage and are more likely to live in conditions that are damaging to health. Through effective sensitization and behavioural changes, concentration of harmful substances in the environment can be reduced. HSE professionals can also be involved in educating residents to adopt healthy lifestyle such as proper waste disposal, good sanitary and hygiene practices as this will go a long way in preventing the spread of diseases.
In conclusion, most of the factors associated with health inequalities due to work and differences in community are largely preventable. Health safety and environment professionals have a huge role to play in tackling these inequalities. Through training, orientation and sensitization, work place stress, injuries and accident can be drastically reduced. Health safety and environment professionals by effective engagements with members of the communities poses the capacity to make communities healthier and safer both now and for posterity by encouraging environmental consciousness and adoption of healthy and safer life styles.
References
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