NIOSH Occupational Health Equity Program

Not all workers have the same risk of experiencing a work-related health problem, even when they have the same job. Factors that place some workers at greater risk than others include social dynamics such as race, ethnicity, place of birth, age, class, and gender; economic trends such as the growth of the temporary workforce; and organizational factors such as business size. Groups with one or more of these characteristics are termed ‘priority populations’; such groups may need additional or different tools, strategies and resources to promote occupational safety and health. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Occupational Health Equity Program seeks to improve occupational health and safety in specific, higher-risk populations with the help of partners in industry, labor, trade associations, professional organizations, and academia. The program focuses on these areas:

• Decreasing injury and illness in industries where priority populations frequently work
• Decreasing fatal occupational injuries and illnesses in priority populations

The Occupational Health Equity Program seeks to promote health equity in disease incidence, injury, mental illness, and morbidity and mortality that are closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage. This snapshot shows recent accomplishments and upcoming work.

NIOSH Occupational Health Equity Program pdf icon[PDF – 353 KB]

Suggested Citations

NIOSH [2019]. Occupational Health Equity Program. By Flynn, M., Schulte, P., Steege, A., Siordia, C., and Reeves, K. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 2019–168, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2019168 external icon