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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Veruscka Leso & Luca Fontana & Ivo Iavicoli, 2021. "Susceptibility to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Occupational Settings: The Complex Interplay between Individual and Workplace Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1030-:d:486304
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Qixin Yang & Xiyao Yang, 2020. "Incidence and risk factors of kidney impairment on patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis of 10180 patients," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-13, November.
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    1. Nicola Bartolomeo & Massimo Giotta & Silvio Tafuri & Paolo Trerotoli, 2022. "Impact of Socioeconomic Deprivation on the Local Spread of COVID-19 Cases Mediated by the Effect of Seasons and Restrictive Public Health Measures: A Retrospective Observational Study in Apulia Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Linda Matisāne & Linda Paegle & Maija Eglīte & Lāsma Akūlova & Asnate Anna Linde & Ivars Vanadziņš & Iveta Mietule & Jeļena Lonska & Lienīte Litavniece & Iluta Arbidāne & Sarmīte Rozentāle & Ieva Grīn, 2021. "Reasons for Low Protection of Vulnerable Workers from COVID-19—Results from the Quantitative and Qualitative Study on Working Life in Latvia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-20, May.
    3. Luís Midão & Marta Almada & Joana Carrilho & Rute Sampaio & Elísio Costa, 2022. "Pharmacological Adherence Behavior Changes during COVID-19 Outbreak in a Portugal Patient Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, January.
    4. Elpidio Maria Garzillo & Arcangelo Cioffi & Angela Carta & Maria Grazia Lourdes Monaco, 2022. "Returning to Work after the COVID-19 Pandemic Earthquake: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-37, April.
    5. Alessandro Messeri & Michela Bonafede & Emma Pietrafesa & Iole Pinto & Francesca de’Donato & Alfonso Crisci & Jason Kai Wei Lee & Alessandro Marinaccio & Miriam Levi & Marco Morabito & on behalf of th, 2021. "A Web Survey to Evaluate the Thermal Stress Associated with Personal Protective Equipment among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-21, April.

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