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Why can combining occupational health services with primary health care be useful in low- and middle-income countries?

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Asbestosis — occupational disease The lung disease asbestosis is caused primarily by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. It occurs mainly among workers whose occupations involve exposure to asbestos and people who live near mines, factories, and construction sites.

In low- and middle-income countries, combining occupational health services with primary health care is often the most practical and cost-effective approach to managing worker well-being.1

This integration is particularly useful because the risks posed by occupational hazards in these regions are frequently compounded by other significant health challenges, such as high incidences of infectious disease and widespread malnutrition. By merging these services, health providers can address the multifaceted health needs of the workforce more efficiently than if occupational health were treated as a separate, isolated benefit, as is common in many developed nations.1

Furthermore, in areas where community health infrastructure may be inadequate, occupational health services can play a vital role by providing broader medical care to workers and their families, alongside essential health education and surveillance programs.2