Objectives: This study aims to present an overview of the formal recognition of COVID-19 as occupational disease (OD) or injury (OI) across Europe. Methods: A COVID-19 questionnaire was designed by a task group within COST-funded OMEGA-NET and sent to occupational health experts of 37 countries in WHO European region, with a last update in April 2022. Results: The questionnaire was filled out by experts from 35 countries. There are large differences between national systems regarding the recognition of OD and OI: 40% of countries have a list system, 57% a mixed system and one country an open system. In most countries, COVID-19 can be recognised as an OD (57%). In four countries, COVID-19 can be recognised as OI (11%) and in seven countries as either OD or OI (20%). In two countries, there is no recognition possible to date. Thirty-two countries (91%) recognise COVID-19 as OD/OI among healthcare workers. Working in certain jobs is considered proof of occupational exposure in 25 countries, contact with a colleague with confirmed infection in 19 countries, and contact with clients with confirmed infection in 21 countries. In most countries (57%), a positive PCR test is considered proof of disease. The three most common compensation benefits for COVID-19 as OI/OD are disability pension, treatment and rehabilitation. Long COVID is included in 26 countries. Conclusions: COVID-19 can be recognised as OD or OI in 94% of the European countries completing this survey, across different social security and embedded occupational health systems.
Recognition of COVID-19 with occupational origin: a comparison between European countries / Nys E.; Pauwels S.; Adam B.; Amaro J.; Athanasiou A.; Bashkin O.; Bric T.K.; Bulat P.; Caglayan C.; Guseva Canu I.; Cebanu S.; Charbotel B.; Cirule J.; Curti S.; Davidovitch N.; Dopelt K.; Fikfak M.D.; Frilander H.; Gustavsson P.; Hoper A.C.; Kiran S.; Kogevinas M.; Kudasz F.; Kolstad H.A.; Lazarevic S.B.; MacAn J.; Majery N.; Marinaccio A.; Mates D.; Mattioli S.; McElvenny D.M.; Mediouni Z.; Mehlum I.S.; Merisalu E.; Mijakoski D.; Nena E.; Noone P.; Otelea M.R.; Pelclova D.; Pranjic N.; Rosso M.; Serra C.; Rushton L.; Sandal A.; Schernhammer E.S.; Stoleski S.; Turner M.C.; Van Der Molen H.F.; Varga M.; Walusiak-Skorupa J.; Straif K.; Godderis L.. - In: OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE. - ISSN 1351-0711. - STAMPA. - 80:12(2023), pp. 108726.694-108726.701. [10.1136/oemed-2022-108726]
Recognition of COVID-19 with occupational origin: a comparison between European countries
Curti S.;
2023
Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to present an overview of the formal recognition of COVID-19 as occupational disease (OD) or injury (OI) across Europe. Methods: A COVID-19 questionnaire was designed by a task group within COST-funded OMEGA-NET and sent to occupational health experts of 37 countries in WHO European region, with a last update in April 2022. Results: The questionnaire was filled out by experts from 35 countries. There are large differences between national systems regarding the recognition of OD and OI: 40% of countries have a list system, 57% a mixed system and one country an open system. In most countries, COVID-19 can be recognised as an OD (57%). In four countries, COVID-19 can be recognised as OI (11%) and in seven countries as either OD or OI (20%). In two countries, there is no recognition possible to date. Thirty-two countries (91%) recognise COVID-19 as OD/OI among healthcare workers. Working in certain jobs is considered proof of occupational exposure in 25 countries, contact with a colleague with confirmed infection in 19 countries, and contact with clients with confirmed infection in 21 countries. In most countries (57%), a positive PCR test is considered proof of disease. The three most common compensation benefits for COVID-19 as OI/OD are disability pension, treatment and rehabilitation. Long COVID is included in 26 countries. Conclusions: COVID-19 can be recognised as OD or OI in 94% of the European countries completing this survey, across different social security and embedded occupational health systems.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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