Occupational Health Disparities

Improving the Well-Being of Ethnic and Racial Minority Workers

Rubén O Martinez editor Chu-Hsiang Chang editor J Kevin Ford editor Donald E Eggerth editor Michael A Flynn editor Frederick T L Leong editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:American Psychological Association

Published:13th Feb '17

Should be back in stock very soon

Occupational Health Disparities cover

Racial and ethnic minority groups in the workforce are prone to higher rates of work-related diseases, injuries, and psychological distress than non-minorities. The severity and types of hazards minorities face are also very different because they may work in more physically demanding, labor-intensive jobs--jobs that often do not provide full benefits or enough income to allow access to proper healthcare. Fortunately, the burgeoning field of occupational health psychology (OHP), with its focus on worker wellbeing, is ideally positioned to address these disparities and improve conditions for minority workers.
 
To fully understand the needs of racial and ethnic minorities, however, OHP requires a more multicultural perspective. This book thus gathers experts in OHP and multicultural psychology to establish an evidence-based framework that will promote advancements in policy, research, and interventions, all of which are needed to reduce occupational health disparities (OHDs). Chapters review the disparities that Latinos, African Americans, and Asian Americans face in variety of industries, including agriculture, transportation, construction, nursing, and information technology. They also explore a wide array of issues that impact OHDs, such as socioeconomic status; education; discriminatory and hostile work environments; lack of effective safety training; language proficiency; and other cultural, community, and organizational factors.

The study of occupational health disparities among workers of varying racial and ethnic backgrounds is critically important if we are to reduce the disproportionate toll of injury and illness that these workers experience every day. Until the publication of this volume, there was limited literature on this emerging area of occupational health. I applaud the editors and contributors for compiling this wonderful resource.

-- John Howard, MD, MPH, JD, LLM, Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Leong and coeditors have assembled a strong team of authors who offer fresh insights into the occupational health concerns currently faced by minority workers. The book combines empirical findings from behavioral science research with discussions of social and organizational policy solutions. I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking ways to understand and improve occupational health.

-- Bob Sinclair, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC; Founding Editor, Occupational Health Science

This book is a unique contribution to the sparse literature on work-related health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. The authors provide well-researched discussions of policy, research, and interventions that help us better understand the causes, impacts, and possible solutions to the disproportionate rates of disease, injury, and fatality that minority groups suffer when compared with the population in general. This is a significant, timely contribution for those interested in an expanding multicultural perspective on work-related health disparities.

-- Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP, Former President, American Psychological Association; Independent Practice, Austin

ISBN: 9781433826924

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

239 pages