Occupational epidemiology

The epidemiological literature for assessing risk in many, if not most, mod ern occupations has now become sufficiently obsolete that it can no longer be depended upon to guide either prevention or adjudication of compensation . This obsolescence must be dealt with by developing new sources of informa tion pertinent to occupational hazards and the risks associated with most o ccupations. Ideally, a comprehensive surveillance mechanism that would be a utomatically updated for the changing risk in a changing economy would be i deal and may be attainable with further developments in health information technology. The characteristics of such a system are described. However, th ere are many obstacles to such a system which appear insurmountable in the short term. A more eclectic plan for cooperation and data-sharing would hel p in the short term and would establish a pattern of collaboration that cou ld both place adjudication on a more solid foundation and avoid allegations of collusion in business. The general outline for a practical programme of collaboration along these lines is presented.