The Costs of Injury and Illness

I came across some information recently that we have touched on before, but the new numbers that I found were staggering to me.  I wanted to share so this blog is going over the information I found.  Most of this information comes from the first comprehensive study done since 1992.

A University of California Davis researcher has estimated the cost annually of occupational illnesses and injuries at $250 billion.  Again, $250 billion.   To put some of these figures in perspective that is $31 billion more than the direct and indirect costs of all cancers, $76 billion more than diabetes, and $187 more than strokes.  This study is basically saying that all of the campaigns we see on TV and her on the radio are great and we need people to know about cancer and lowering the explosion of diabetes, but from a cost analysis  in the United States we aren’t targeting the single biggest area.  Costs have risen by more than $33 billion (inflation adjusted) since the 1992 analysis.

“It’s unfortunate that occupational health doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” says J. Paul Leigh, professor of public health sciences at UC Davis and author of the study. “The costs are enormous and continue to grow. And the potential for health risks are high, given that most people between the ages of 22 to 65 spend 40 percent of their waking hours at work.”

King Operator wants to be your partner in preventing occupational illness and injury.  Check out some of our top selling products like the MSA V-Gard 500 Protective Caps available on our website.  Our special this month the Sqwincher Powder Pack™ Dry Mix is available by emailing jfeith@kingosafety.com for $130.00.  These are 80 pack cases down from $189.22.  Feel free to call 317.503.8611 or email with other questions or comments.

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