Diverse workers on equal platforms, symbolizing health equity in the workplace.

Unmasking Workplace Inequity: How Better Data Can Pave the Way for Healthier, Fairer Jobs

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness May 2025 • 4 min read.

"A call for comprehensive occupational health surveillance to bridge the gap in understanding and addressing work-related health disparities."

In the ongoing battle against health disparities, the workplace often remains a blind spot. While we diligently track various sociodemographic factors, occupation – a cornerstone of adult life – frequently gets overlooked. This oversight limits our understanding of how work impacts health, especially for vulnerable populations. Recent research highlights the urgent need for a more inclusive approach to occupational health surveillance.

The current surveillance systems, as pointed out by Ahonen et al., suffer from limitations in both data quality and content. Existing data often fail to capture the nuances of different work environments and their effects on specific populations. This inadequacy hinders our ability to develop targeted interventions and policies that address the root causes of work-related health inequities.

Fortunately, a new roadmap is emerging. The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recently released a groundbreaking report, "A Smarter National Surveillance System for Occupational Safety and Health in the 21st Century." This report offers a comprehensive review of existing data sources and pinpoints opportunities to improve and innovate our approach to occupational health surveillance. It's a call to action to integrate work into the broader conversation about population health.

Why Current Data Falls Short: The Invisibility of Social Determinants

Diverse workers on equal platforms, symbolizing health equity in the workplace.

One of the key challenges in addressing workplace health inequities is the lack of comprehensive data on social determinants. These are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, such as socioeconomic status, access to resources, and social support networks. When these factors are not adequately captured in occupational health surveillance systems, it becomes difficult to identify and address the underlying causes of health disparities.

In essence, what isn't measured is easily ignored. Critical data points that are often missing or incomplete include:

Race and Ethnicity: A more granular understanding of racial and ethnic backgrounds is crucial for identifying disparities.
Nativity: Place of birth and immigration status can significantly impact workplace experiences and health outcomes.
Business Size: Smaller businesses often have fewer resources for safety and health programs, increasing worker vulnerability.
Employment Arrangement: Factors such as contract work, temporary positions, and gig economy jobs can affect access to benefits and workplace protections.

These variables, when combined and analyzed, can reveal patterns of vulnerability and inform targeted interventions. For example, research has shown that non-native workers in smaller construction firms face overlapping vulnerabilities due to language barriers, lack of training, and precarious employment arrangements.

A Path Forward: Collaboration, Innovation, and a Commitment to Equity

Improving occupational health surveillance requires a multi-pronged approach. It demands collaboration between researchers, policymakers, employers, and community organizations. It necessitates innovative data collection methods that capture the complexities of work and its impact on diverse populations. And, above all, it requires a steadfast commitment to health equity – ensuring that all workers have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or occupation.

Everything You Need To Know

What is occupational health surveillance and why is it important?

Occupational health surveillance is the process of systematically collecting and analyzing data related to work-related health issues. It aims to identify risks, monitor trends, and inform interventions to protect workers' health. The concept is critical because it helps to bridge the gap in understanding and addressing work-related health disparities by providing insights into how different work environments and populations are affected. Improving the quality of data in this area is the first step in building a foundation for better interventions.

What are social determinants of health, and why are they important in the context of workplace health?

Social determinants of health are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, such as socioeconomic status, access to resources, and social support networks. They are important because they significantly impact workplace experiences and health outcomes. When these factors are not adequately captured in occupational health surveillance systems, it becomes difficult to identify and address the underlying causes of health disparities. Ignoring these factors can lead to overlooking vulnerabilities and the development of ineffective interventions that fail to address the root causes of health inequities.

What are the limitations of the current data collection methods?

The limitations in current data stem from the inability to capture the nuances of different work environments and their effects on specific populations. The existing systems often fail to include critical data points like Race and Ethnicity, Nativity, Business Size, and Employment Arrangement. The absence of this data makes it challenging to identify patterns of vulnerability and develop targeted interventions to address the underlying causes of health disparities. Without comprehensive data, it becomes difficult to develop effective policies and interventions.

What is the significance of the National Academies report in this context?

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine released a report titled "A Smarter National Surveillance System for Occupational Safety and Health in the 21st Century." This report offers a comprehensive review of existing data sources and highlights opportunities to improve and innovate our approach to occupational health surveillance. The report serves as a call to action to integrate work into the broader conversation about population health and provides a roadmap for enhancing data collection and analysis.

How can we improve occupational health surveillance?

Improving occupational health surveillance requires a multi-pronged approach. This includes collaboration between researchers, policymakers, employers, and community organizations. It also necessitates innovative data collection methods that capture the complexities of work and its impact on diverse populations. This also requires a steadfast commitment to health equity, ensuring all workers have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or occupation. A multi-pronged approach is essential to effectively address the complex interplay of factors contributing to workplace health inequities.