Global estimates of fatal work-related diseases by region and disease group, 2002.

Work-related and occupational diseases are multifactorial diseases among the working population that have a heavy impact on workers, enterprises, and society. We calculated estimates for 2002, using global regional estimates of disease mortality, and adjusted attributable fractions produced for work-related diseases in Finland. The estimated number of fatal work-related diseases is about 2 million worldwide. The most common fatal work-related disease groups are cancers (25%), circulatory diseases (21%), and communicable diseases (28%). Though estimates of fatal work-related diseases have some limitations, they are needed for prevention.