Abstract
The world of work has changed at an unprecedented pace in the past three decades. Social epidemiology examines the patterns of social determinants of health, and it provides powerful systems approaches to population health. In the context of globalization, rapid technological advances, economic openness, and global interconnectedness have provided opportunities for economic growth but have also inevitably led to fierce competition, altered the nature of work, and exposed workers to new health risks. This chapter presents the health challenges including health inequalities in relation to globalization and technological change, and it then uses a multilevel framework to explain how changes at the international and organizational levels driven by globalization can impact workers’ health. This chapter takes a social epidemiological approach to address the complex interaction of social, economic, and structural determinants on health. Finally, a case study is presented to demonstrate how a quantitative systematic review can be developed to inform social epidemiological research and workplace policies to improve employee health.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
APA (2022) 2022 Trends report: burnt and stress are everywhere. Monit Psychol 53(1):72. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-burnout-stress
APA (American Psychological Association) (2020) Stress in America 2020: a national mental health crisis. Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2020/sia-mental-health-crisis.pdf
Armstrong-Stassen M (2005) Coping with downsizing: a comparison of executive-level and middle managers. Int J Stress Manag 12(2):117–141
Ashrafuzzaman M, Furini GL (2019) Climate change and human health linkages in the context of globalization: an overview from global to southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Environ Int 127:402–411
Bamberger SG, Vinding AL, Larsen A, Nielsen P, Fonager K, Nielsen RN, at al. (2012) Impact of organizational change on mental health: a systematic literature review. Occup Environ Med 69(8):592–598. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2011-100381
Bambra C, Riordan R, Ford J, Matthews F (2020) The COVID-19 pandemic and health inequalities. J Epidemiol Community Health 74(11):964–968. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2020-214401
Baum F (2015) Globalisation and health. In: The new public health, 4th edn. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, pp 102–148
Berkman LF, Kawachi I (2014) A historical framework for social epidemiology: social determinants of population health. In: Berkman LF, Kawachi I, Glymour MM (eds) Social epidemiology, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 1–16
Berkman LF, Kawachi I, Theorell T (2014) Working conditions and health. In: Berkman LF, Kawachi I, Glymour MM (eds) Social epidemiology, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 153–179
Bernstrom VH, Kjekshus LE (2015) Effect of organisational change type and frequency on long-term sickness absence in hospitals. J Nurs Manag 23(6):813–822. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12218
Bertucci G, Alberti A (2004) Globalization and the role of the state: challenges and perspectives. UNPAN (UN Public Administration Program) document. Retrieved from https://www.sbsc.in/pdf/resources/1588661028_Globalization_and_the_Role_of_the_State__Challenges_and_Perspectives.pdf
Bettcher D, Lee K (2002) Globalisation and public health. J Epidemiol Community Health 56:8–17
Blomqvist S, Alexanderson K, Vahtera J, Westerlund H, Hanson LLM (2018) Downsizing and purchases of psychotropic drugs: a longitudinal study of stayers, changers and unemployed. PLoS ONE 13(8). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203433
Carlsson RH, Hansen AM, Nielsen ML, Blond M, Netterstrom B (2017) Changes in allostatic load during workplace reorganization. J Psychosom Res 103:34–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.09.015
Chu C, Dwyer S (2002) Employer role in integrative workplace health management. Dis Manag Health Outcomes 10(3):175–186
Contreras S, Gonzalez JA (2020) Organizational change and work stress, attitudes, and cognitive load utilization: a natural experiment in a university restructuring. Pers Rev. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-06-2018-0231
Cornia GA (2001) Globalization and health: results and options. Bull World Health Organ 79(9):834–841
Craig P, Katikireddi SV, Leyland A, Popham F (2017) Natural experiments: an overview of methods, approaches, and contributions to public health intervention research. Annu Rev Public Health 38:39–56
Cunha RC, Cooper CL (2002) Does privatization affect corporate culture and employee wellbeing? J Manag Psychol 17(1/2):21–49
Diez Roux AV (2022) Social epidemiology: past, present, and future. Annu Rev Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-060220-042648
ENWHP (2006) Tackling stress at work, 2006. European Network for Workplace Health Promotion. Retrieved from http://www.enwhp.org/whp/whp-topics-tackling-stress-work.php
Fullerton AS, McCollum DB, Dixon JC, Anderson KF (2020) The insecurity gradient in health: how inequality in the distribution of job insecurity matters for the relationship between job insecurity and self-rated health in Europe. Sociol Q 61(1):107–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380253.2019.1581038
Godderis L, Luyten J (2020) Challenges and opportunities for occupational health and safety after the COVID-19 lockdowns. Occup Environ Med 77(8):511–512. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2020-106645
Goh J, Pfeffer J, Zenios SA (2015) The relationship between workplace stressors and mortality and health costs in the United States. Manag Sci 62(2):608–628
Grint K (1998) Globalization and work. In: The sociology of work, 2nd edn. Blackwell Publishing Company, Cambridge, MA, pp 297–324
Grønstad AF (2017) Exploring work-related attributions of sickness absence during organizational change: a scoping review. Int J Workplace Health Manag 10(3):192–212. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWHM-03-2016-0012
Grønstad A, Kjekshus LE, Tjerbo T, Bernstrøm VH (2019) Organizational change and the risk of sickness absence: a longitudinal multilevel analysis of organizational unit-level change in hospitals. BMC Health Serv Res 19(1):895. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4745-2
Grossi G, Theorell T, Jurisoo M, Setterlind S (1999) Psychophysiological correlates of organizational change and threat of unemployment among police inspectors. Integr Physiol Behav Sci 34(1):30–42
Grzywacz JG, Dooley D (2003) “Good jobs” to “bad jobs”: replicated evidence of an employment continuum from two large surveys. Soc Sci Med 56:1749–1760
Hanson LLM, Westerlund H, Chungkham HS, Vahtera J, Sverke M, Alexanderson K (2016) Purchases of prescription antidepressants in the Swedish population in relation to major workplace downsizing. Epidemiology 27(2):257–264. https://doi.org/10.1097/EDE.0000000000000414
Hansson A, Vingård E, Arnetz BB, Anderzén I (2008) Organizational change, health, and sick leave among health care employees: a longitudinal study measuring stress markers, individual, and work site factors. Work Stress 22(1):69–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370801996236
Higgs M, Rowland D (2005) All changes great and small: exploring approaches to change and its leadership. J Change Manag 5(2):121–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/14697010500082902
Honjo K (2004) Social epidemiology: definition, history, and research examples. Environ Health Prev Med 9(5):193–199. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02898100
Hyde CA (2012) Organizational change rationales: exploring reasons for multicultural development in human service agencies. Adm Soc Work 36(5):436–456
ILO (2021) Restructuring for recovery and resilience in response to the COVID-19 crisis: ILO brief. International Labour Organization, Geneva. Retrieved from: https://www.ilo.org/empent/areas/covid-19/briefing-notes/WCMS_742725/lang--en/index.htm
Intergovernmental Panel on climate Change (IPCC) (2014) Fifth assessment report. http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/#.Um-xf_mcfTp
International Labor Organization (ILO) (2016) Stress: a collective challenge. International Labour Organization, Geneva. Retrieved from: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/%2D%2D-ed_protect/%2D%2D-protrav/%2D%2D-safework/documents/publication/wcms_466547.pdf
Jensen JH, Bonde JP, Flachs EM, Skakon J, Rod NH, Kawachi I (2019) Work-unit organizational changes and subsequent prescriptions for psychotropic medication: a longitudinal study among public healthcare employees. Occup Environ Med 76(3):143–150. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2018-105442
Kawachi I (2002) Social epidemiology. Soc Sci Med 54:1739–1741
Kawachi I (2020) COVID-19 and the “rediscovery” of health inequalities. Int J Epidemiol 49(5):1415–1418. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyaa159
Kawachi I, Subramanian SV (2018) Social epidemiology for the 21st century. Soc Sci Med 196:240–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.10.034
Kivimäki M, Vahtera J, Pentti J, Thomson L, Griffiths A, Cox T (2001a) Downsizing, changes in work, and self-rated health of employees: a 7-year 3-wave panel study. Anxiety Stress Coping 14(1):59–73
Kivimäki M, Vahtera J, Ferrie JE, Hemingway H, Pentti J (2001b) Organizational downsizing and musculoskeletal problems in employees: a prospective study. Occup Environ Med 58(12):811–817
Kivimaki M, Honkonen T, Wahlbeck K, Elovainio M, Pentti J, Klaukka T et al (2007) Organizational downsizing and increased use of psychotropic drugs among employees who remain in employment. J Epidemiol Community Health 61(2):154–158. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2006.050955
Kjekshus LE, Bernstrøm VH, Dahl E, Lorentzen T (2014) The effect of hospital mergers on long-term sickness absence among hospital employees: a fixed effects multivariate regression analysis using panel data. BMC Health Serv Res 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-14-50
Koukoulaki T, Pinotsi D, Geogiadou P, Daikou A, Zorba K, Targoutzidis A et al (2017) Restructuring seriously damages well-being of workers: the case of the restructuring programme in local administration in Greece. Saf Sci 100(Part A):30–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2017.06.002
Krieger N (2001a) A glossary for social epidemiology. J Epidemiol Community Health 55(10):693–700. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.55.10.693
Krieger N (2001b) Theories for social epidemiology in the 21st century: an ecosocial perspective. Int J Epidemiol 30(4):668–677
Labonté R (2015) Globalization and health. Int Encycl Soc Behav Sci 2(10):198–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.14022-X
Labonté R, Schrecker T (2007) Globalization and social determinants of health: introduction and methodological background (part 1 of 3). Glob Health 19(3):5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1744-8603-3-5
Labonté R, Mohindra K, Schrecker T (2011) The growing impact of globalization for health and public health practice. Annu Rev Public Health 32:263–283. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031210-101225
Lambert H, Gupte J, Fletcher H, Hammond L, Lowe N, Pelling M (2020) COVID-19 as a global challenge: towards and inclusive future. Lancet Planet Health 4(8):E312–E314. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30168-6
Lee P (2022) Assessing the health of populations: epidemiology in public health. In: Liamputtong P (ed) Public health: local and global perspectives, 3rd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, pp 236–256
Leigh P (2011) Economic burden of occupational injury and illness in the United States. Milbank Q 89:728–772
Loretto W, Platt S, Popham F (2010) Workplace change and employee mental health: results from a longitudinal study. Br J Manag 21(2):526–540. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8551.2009.00658.x
Mishra V, Seyedzenouzi G, Almohtadi A, Chowdhury T, Khashkhusha A, Axiaq A et al (2021) Health inequalities during COVID-19 and their effects on morbidity and mortality. J Healthc Leadersh 13:19–26. https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S270175
Modrek S, Cullen MR (2013) Job insecurity during recessions: effects on survivors’ work stress. BMC Public Health 13(1):929–929. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-929
Netterstrøm B, Blønd M, Nielsen M, Rugulies R, Eskelinen L (2010) Development of depressive symptoms and depression during organizational change – a two-year follow-up study of civil servants. Scand J Work Environ Health 36(6):445–448. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3075
Oreg S, Vakola M, Armenakis A (2011) Change recipients’ reactions to organizational change: a 60-year review of quantitative studies. J Appl Behav Sci. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021886310396550
Østhus S (2016) For better or worse? Workplace changes and the health and well-being of Norwegian workers. Work Employ Soc. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017007082881
Pahkin K, Mattila-Holappa P, Väänänen A, Koskinen A, Nielsen K (2013) Dismissals – a major concern, but only one among others? Ind Health 51(1):134–141. https://doi.org/10.2486/indhealth.2012-0087
Paremoer L, Nandi S, Serag H, Baum F (2021) Covid-19 pandemic and the social determinants of health. BMJ 372:n129. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n129
Quinlan M (2007) Organizational restructuring/downsizing, OHS regulation and worker health and wellbeing. Int J Law Psychiatry 30(4-5):385–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlp.2007.06.010
Rose G (1992) The strategy of preventive medicine. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK
Sablonnière R, Tougas F, Sablonnière É, Debrosse R (2012) Profound organizational change, psychological distress and burnout symptoms: the mediator role of collective relative deprivation. Group Process Intergr Relat 15(6):776–790. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430212445074
Safe Work Australia (2015) The cost of work-related injury and illness for Australian employers, workers and the community: 2012–13. Safe Work Australia, Canberra. Retrieved from: http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/940/cost-of-work-related-injury-and-disease-2012-13.docx.pdf.2015. Accessed 23 Aug 2022
Sanderson K, Andrews G (2006) Common mental disorders in the workforce: recent findings from descriptive and social epidemiology. Can J Psychiatry 51(2):63–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370605100202
Shoss M (2021) Occupational health psychology research and the COVID-19 pandemic. J Occup Health Psychol 26(4):259–260. https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000292
Smith ME (2002) Success rates for different types of organizational change. Perform Improv 41(1):26–33. https://doi.org/10.1002/pfi.4140410107
Snorradóttir A, Vilhjálmsson R, Rafnsdóttir GL, Tómasson K (2013) Financial crisis and collapsed banks: psychological distress and work related factors among surviving employees – a nation-wide study. Am J Ind Med 56(9):1095–1106. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22210
Streeten P (2001) Definitions of globalization. In: Globalization: threat or opportunity? Copenhagen Business School Press, Copenhagen, pp 167–173
Tsai KL, Harrison W (2019) Organizational actions in gaining employee support for change: the roles of affective commitment to change, organizational justice, and organizational cynicism. J Organ Psychol 19(5):141–155
UN Secretariat (2000) Globalization and state: an overview, UN document no. 0038325. United Nations, Geneva
Vaananen A, Pahkin K, Kalimo R, Buunk BP (2004) Maintenance of subjective health during a merger: the role of experienced change and pre-merger social support at work in white- and blue-collar workers. Soc Sci Med 58(10):1903–1915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2003.08.010
Vaananen A, Ahola K, Koskinen A, Pahkin K, Kouvonen A (2011) Organizational merger and psychiatric morbidity: a prospective study in a changing work organization. J Epidemiol Community Health 65(8):682–687. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2010.126482
Verhaeghe R, Vlerick P, Gemmel P, Maele GV, Backer GD (2006) Impact of recurrent changes in the work environment on nurses’ psychological well-being and sickness absence. J Adv Nurs 56(6):646–656. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.04058.x
Virtanen M, Kivimaki M, Singh-Manoux A, Gimeno D, Shipley M, Vahtera J et al (2010) Work disability following major organizational change: the Whitehall II study. J Epidemiol Community Health 64(5):461–464. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2009.095158
Westerlund H, Theorell T, Alfredsson L (2004a) Organizational instability and cardiovascular risk factors in white-collar employees. Eur J Public Health 14(1):37–42. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/14.1.37
Westerlund H, Ferrie J, Hagberg J, Jeding K, Oxenstierna G, Theorell T (2004b) Workplace expansion, long-term sickness absence, and hospital admission. Lancet 363(9416):1193–1197. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15949-7
WHO/ILO (2021) WHO/ILO joint estimates of the work-related burden of disease and injury, 2000–2016. World Health Organization/International Labor Organization, Geneva. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/monitoring/who-ilo-joint-estimates
Will MG (2015) Successful organizational change through win-win. J Account Organ Change 11(2):193–214. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAOC-06-2013-0056
Woodward D, Drager N, Beaglehole R, Lipson D (2001) Globalization and health: a framework for analysis and action. Bull World Health Organ 79:875–881
World Health Organization (WHO) (2004) Globalization and infectious diseases: a review of linkage. WHO, Geneva
World Health Organization (WHO) (2022) Noncommunicable diseases: fact sheets. Author, Geneva. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Lee, P.CT., Wu, C.CY., Ting, J. (2023). Social Epidemiology and Its Contribution to Global Public Health. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Social Sciences and Global Public Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25110-8_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25110-8_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-25109-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-25110-8
eBook Packages: Social SciencesReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences