Impact of Occupational Diseases in Spain

The understanding of the impact and distribution of occupational diseases is essential to adequately plan prevention and its necessary assistance strategies in order to minimize the effects of work on health. The overall objective of this study was to estimate the impact of occupational diseases in Spain. Toward this end, estimates of mortality, incidence, prevalence, and under-reporting of occupational diseases have been conducted. Each estimate has its own methodology and data sources. The estimates consider two territorial levels (national and regional), and also include a gender perspective. The statistics used referred to the years 2005 and 2006. Estimates suggest that in 2005, in Spain, 14,297 men and 2,179 women died due to work-related diseases. In the same year, there were no registries of deaths from occupational disease in the official records. The highest number of fatal occupational diseases is related to malignant tumors (~9,400 deaths) and cardiovascular diseases (more than 3,500 deaths). Additionally, in Spain, it is estimated that each year around 160,000 years of potential life were lost. Moreover, every year would exist an average of ~88,000 new cases of occupational disease, the most being musculoskeletal disorders (30,757) and skin diseases (12,481). The total under-reporting of occupational diseases would reach 75%, and almost 100% in malignant tumors (only 4 reported cases, more than 6,000 diagnosed) or respiratory diseases (345 cases registered, more than 8,000 estimated). Therefore we conclude that there is a strong need for further methodological review of the official record of occupational diseases.