This summary article presents information obtained from research studies on health care workers in the United States It is reasonable to assume that health care workers around the world face similar hazards and exposures. The information and solutions being applied in the United States may be useful to health care workers in other countries. Health care is the second-fastest-growing sector of the United States economy, employing over 12 million workers. Women represent nearly 80% of the health care work force. Health care workers face a wide range of hazards on the job, including bloodborne pathogens, biological hazards, needle-stick injuries, back injuries, chemical hazards, latex allergy, violence, and stress. Although it is possible to prevent or reduce health care worker exposure to these hazards, health care workers actually are experiencing increasing numbers of occupational injuries and illnesses. Rates of occupational injury to United States health care workers have risen over the past decade. This article provides information on accessing NIOSH publications and data bases for health care workers. These resources and data bases are available at no cost and can be found and viewed at
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/healthcare/. Detailed information on specific topics related to health care workers is discussed below.
