In our culture, health is often seen as an external problem. The definition of “healthy” has changed over the years as society has become more complicated and there are multiple theories on what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. What we know today is that health is a state of full physical, mental and emotional well-being. A number of definitions have also been used over the years for different purposes.
For the purpose of our discussion, we will concentrate on what are known as determinants of human health. Determinants are factors that either strengthen or weaken the ability of a person to attain a healthy status. Determinants can take on many forms. Some of these determinants include age, sex, body mass index, educational attainment, socioeconomic status and health history.
Although public health has incorporated the idea of detecting disease and preventing diseases from being spread, it still lacks a strong and consistent determinant of health. Mental health is also tied to other aspects of health science, especially medical science. Mental disorders include mood disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions and more are common causes of disability in the modern world.
The United States has one of the highest incidences of disability and premature death among all developed countries. One of the most significant causes of death and disability in the United States is mental illness and substance abuse. According to studies, the mentally ill are almost twice as likely to die from a cause other than suicide. The mentally ill, or those who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and other mood-related disorders are also more likely to experience physical disabilities due to their mental condition. Alcohol and drug abuse are other major causes of death and disability in the United States.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was created by the U.S. Department of Labor to address the issues of worker protection and health. Since its conception, the NIOSH has monitored the progress of occupational health, studying many aspects of workplace safety, including but not limited to: lead poisoning, repetitive movement, lung disease, cancers and other degenerative diseases. Because of this extensive research and documentation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified several areas of concern with regards to both work environment and employer health practices.
If you believe that you or someone that you know may have been exposed to harmful substances, it is very important to contact a professional, reputable and experienced attorney practicing in occupational safety law, including a lawyer that has devoted their career to helping people suffering from various types of diseases. An experienced lawyer will be able to assess your case, help you obtain the necessary compensation and represent you in court. In this main article, we discussed just a few diseases that are considered to be dangerous, as well as some of the typical hazards in the work environment. However, there are many more diseases that may be caused by working in dangerous conditions, and an experienced attorney will be well versed in representing individuals that suffered from one of these dangerous occupations.