Work and health are connected through both direct and indirect causal relationships.

In addition to the broad factors referenced above, social scientists have identified multiple relationships between work and health. From a scan of the research literature, we have identified 12 themes that provide a platform of knowledge for improving health through interventions related to work. They are summarized on the following pages.

1. Work is central to social status, one of the most powerful predictors of heath outcomes.
2. Unemployment is associated with a large number of health risks.
3. Inadequate employment is also associated with poor health outcomes.
4. The degree of control that employees exercise over their work influences health.
5. At least one study indicates that every step up the occupational ladder has positive health consequences.
6. Access to health insurance comes primarily through the workplace and has important health consequences.
7. Worksite health promotion programs improve the health of those who have access to them.
8. Despite its overall health benefits, work can be hazardous to health.
9. Work influences the health of families and children.
10. Health conditions affect work status.
11. Income inequality affects health.
12. An emerging social science framework integrates labor market conditions, employment experiences and health.