Tom B. Leamon

Adjunct Professor of Occupational Safety

Department of Environmental Health

The Burden of Occupational Injury

The Burden of Injury resulting from work is largely unrecognized around the globe.  The lack of surveillance in all countries, including the U.S, results in this being possibly the most overlooked issue in every country.  In the US the direct burden is estimated to be one billion dollars a week – each dollar paid as a result of the pain and suffering from an injury.  Estimates in developing countries may be an order under the true burden.  Yet this remains poorly addressed by academia and government.  There appears to be few more challenging or worthwhile  opportunities for Public Health.  The moral imperative appears to be matched by the economic one as countries struggle to develop their economies while at the same time protecting their peoples.