Occupational Health Disparities: Making connections to advance knowledge and address disparities in worker health

In 2007, the Occupational Health Disparities Institute (OHDI), aimed at raising the visibility of the work of OHS section members addressing occupational health disparities, was initiated. In 2009, the OSH section's agenda will once again highlight work that addresses disparities in occupational exposures and outcomes, and investigates the role that work may play in health outcomes. The investigation of health disparities has been pioneered by social epidemiologists and, in many ways, the the tools and methods involved in investigating disparities are relatively new to occupational health experts. The purpose of this session is to discuss the challenges involved in studying disparities in occupational health and begin to identify resources needed by occupational health researchers and practitioners seeking to address disparities. The following questions will guide the discussion.

1. What are the competing definitions/conceptualizations of 'occupational health disparities'?

2. What links do we need to create between social epidemiologists ('traditional' investigators of health disparities) and occupational health?

3. How can occupational health contribute to social epidemiologists' understanding of the role of work in health?

Ongoing discussions and collaboration are needed to maximize the effectives of this often multidisciplinary work. In this session, we will place the 2009 OHDI program in context and begin to develop a strategy for more effective exchange between meetings.