Epidemiological and hygienic assessment of harmful working conditions on worker health

Abstract

Mortality and life expectancy are traditional indicators of loss of public health. Life expectancy, as an integral indicator, is recommended by the WHO as a criterion for the health status and standard of living of the population. In Russia, over the past twenty years, the maximum average life expectancy for men was recorded in 1987. Since then, life expectancy has steadily declined, and by 1999, it was less than 60 years for men. Demographers and specialists analyzing current demographic trends in Russia consider the decline in life expectancy, which over the past decade amounted to more than five years for men and 4.2 years for women, to be unprecedented and catastrophic. Due to premature mortality, Russia's labor force is suffering significant losses. The predominant increase in mortality over the past decade and a half has been observed in the age groups from 30 to 60 years. For the working-age population, working conditions, which have not improved over the past decade and a half, play a significant role among social factors influencing health. The objective of the study was to scientifically substantiate criteria for assessing the medical and social consequences of exposure to hazardous working conditions on workers' health. A method for assessing the years of potential and future life expectancy lost by workers exposed to hazardous working conditions was developed and tested.