Submission ID 131932
| Issue/Objective | Occupational noise exposure is a major workplace hazard that hits socioeconomically disadvantaged workers hardest, those with lower education, income, lower occupational classes, and racial/ethnic minorities, often alongside other risks like chemicals or ergonomics. The goal was to pull together existing evidence on these inequalities and map out which groups face the biggest burden. This ties directly into health workforce strengthening by pushing for fairer protections and interventions that keep vulnerable workers safe and productive. |
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| Methodology/Approach | Two independent reviewers searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Medline Ovid, ScienceDirect, and Scopus) using the keyword combinations 'Occupational noise' OR 'environmental noise' OR 'noise pollution' OR 'workplace noise', AND 'Disparity' OR 'inequality' OR 'disadvantage', AND 'Socioeconomic' OR 'social' OR 'economic'. Of the 3,513 records identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria (3 prospective cohorts and 8 cross-sectional). Study quality was assessed using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool, and the publication's quality was rated at 90-100%. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and measures of socioeconomic status and exposure, findings were synthesized narratively. |
| Results | Consistent evidence indicated a clear socioeconomic gradient in occupational noise exposure. Workers with lower education, lower income, and those in lower occupational classes were more likely to be exposed to higher noise levels. Similar patterns were observed among racial and ethnic minority groups and in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Evidence also suggested that occupational noise frequently co-occurs with other workplace hazards, indicating a clustering of multiple exposures among disadvantaged workers. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This systematic review reveals that occupational noise exposure reflects deeper social and economic inequities, disproportionately burdening workers with lower education, income, occupational class, and racial/ethnic minority status, often alongside clustered hazards and limited access to protective measures like equipment or training. Policy implications call for equity-driven interventions-stronger regulations, targeted training, and improved protections-to mitigate these structural disadvantages and safeguard vulnerable workforce segments. Scaling options include integrating noise risk surveillance into routine occupational health systems, prioritizing high-risk sectors, and linking workplace protections to broader social determinants of health. These steps directly advance the conference theme of translating evidence into action and the sub-theme of health workforce strengthening by providing practical, accountable tools to build resilient, equitable systems. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Maryam Mirzaei Hotkani Dalhousie University Maryam Mirzaei Hotkani Dalhousie University Zahra Jafari Dalhousie University |
