HE38 - Is work making you sick? Assessing the role occupation has in infection rates
SCURS Disciplines
Medicine & Health Sciences
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Not Applicable
Abstract
An individual’s occupation can affect the rate at which they contract infectious diseases. Multiple factors can contribute to the rate of infectious disease transmission within different occupational sectors. Some of these factors include environmental factors such as sick leave policies and workload, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) use in the workplace. In this study, we examined infection rates in workers from the healthcare, education, and food service industries. We used the Prolific platform to employ a cross-sectional survey to United States residents aged 18 or older who worked within these industries. We examined rates of illnesses, specifically looking at respiratory infections and gastrointestinal infections, to determine if rates differed between industries. We investigated multiple occupational factors such as sick leave policies, PPE use, workplace hazards and stress, and the proximity of coworkers to one another within these industries to identify factors that may influence the rate of disease transmission. Here we describe how occupation influences the rate of infectious diseases for workers and what factors contribute the most towards disease transmission risk. Identifying differences in infection rates and factors that affect them can allow better public health recommendations.
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
HE38 - Is work making you sick? Assessing the role occupation has in infection rates
University Readiness Center Greatroom
An individual’s occupation can affect the rate at which they contract infectious diseases. Multiple factors can contribute to the rate of infectious disease transmission within different occupational sectors. Some of these factors include environmental factors such as sick leave policies and workload, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) use in the workplace. In this study, we examined infection rates in workers from the healthcare, education, and food service industries. We used the Prolific platform to employ a cross-sectional survey to United States residents aged 18 or older who worked within these industries. We examined rates of illnesses, specifically looking at respiratory infections and gastrointestinal infections, to determine if rates differed between industries. We investigated multiple occupational factors such as sick leave policies, PPE use, workplace hazards and stress, and the proximity of coworkers to one another within these industries to identify factors that may influence the rate of disease transmission. Here we describe how occupation influences the rate of infectious diseases for workers and what factors contribute the most towards disease transmission risk. Identifying differences in infection rates and factors that affect them can allow better public health recommendations.