Work-related deaths on the rise, global study shows

Tampere, Finland — Deaths caused by workplace injuries and illnesses spiked an estimated 26% globally over a recent six-year period, results of a recent study indicate.

Researchers from Tampere University and the International Commission on Occupational Health used data from international organizations, institutions and public websites. The data covered 181 countries. 

Findings show that an estimated 2.9 million workers died from occupational injuries (320,000) and illnesses (2.6 million) in 2019 – up from 2.3 million in 2014. In 2019, work-related circulatory diseases accounted for 912,000 deaths, while 843,000 were linked to work-related cancers.

“The burden of work-related diseases is a major global health challenge,” study author Subas Neupane, senior research fellow at the university, said in a press release. “Updated estimates are needed to understand the trends in the work-related burden of diseases, working conditions and their impact on workers’ health, as well as to identify where the current efforts fall short.”

The study was published online in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health.