1. ISSUES IN OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
JOSEPH J SCHWERHA
MD MPH
PROFESSOR OF OCCUPATIONAL
AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
DIRECTOR OF THE
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Web page of Dr. Joseph J. Schwerha

2. ISSUES continued Occupational History World Economy Genomes
Epidemiology
Workplace
Environmental
Industrial Hygiene
Complete occupational history is critical
The world has gotten smaller
The only way to stop certain diseases is through genetics
The history of disease must be understood
Environment – 24 hours/day, 7 days/week for life
Measurement of toxic substance concentrations is important

3. ISSUES continued Safety Economics Employee Assistance Program
Managed Care
Toxicology
Workers’ Compensation
Government Regulations
Safety everywhere
Economic factors affect direct control
Progress cannot be made without funding
Government regulations help and hinder good working conditions
Workers’ compensation is no fault

4. ISSUES Continued Disability Evaluation Hearing Loss
Occupational Cancer
Dermatology
Reproduction
Mining
Solvents
What can an individual do?
Look at abilities, not disabilities
Occupational cancer is more important and varied
Evaluations above ground and under ground are different

5. ISSUES Continued Pesticides Gases Sick Building Syndrome
Biologic Monitoring
Substance Abuse
Chemicals
Industry
Pesticides can affect everyone, not just workers
Cause of Sick Building Syndrome are varied and many
Biological monitoring has its plus and minuses
Each industry has its own issues

6. ISSUES continued Back Pain Radiation Metals Life Styles
Occupational Stress
Americans with Disabilities Act
Business Community
Back pain is a difficult problem with many etiologies
Metal intoxication is an ongoing problem
Lifestyles changed and the associated problems have also changed
Occupational stress will increase in the coming years

7. ISSUES CONTINUED Pulmonary Disease Neurotoxic Disorders
Emergency Response
Computerized Medical Record
Shift Work
Shift work covers more working people today
Emergency response includes Bioterrorism
Many substances are neurotoxic and more are being found
Without computers issues cannot be adequately followed