Perspectives from the new president of the Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: future strategies for occupational and environmental medicine
Article information
Abstract
Modern Korean society is experiencing fundamental transformations in industrial structures and working environments driven by complex factors, including demographic shifts, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and digital transformation. The evolving dynamics between the manufacturing and service industries, the emergence of technology-driven sectors, and the proliferation of new occupational categories are reshaping traditional employment models. This has directed the labor market toward nonstandard employment forms, including temporary, contract-based, and platform labor. Consequently, issues such as employment instability and reduced accessibility to workplace health programs, including occupational safety training, health examinations, and workplace health management, have become increasingly prominent. Although occupational and environmental medicine has subsequently gained significance, the current occupational health and safety framework inadequately addresses the nuances of emerging labor forms. Legal gaps persist, leaving vulnerable groups such as nonregular workers, platform laborers, and older workers insufficiently protected under existing systems. Furthermore, systemic issues are evident in the inadequate follow-up care during occupational health examinations, lacking continued adherence to hazard-centric approaches, and insufficient attention to chronic diseases and mental health challenges. This study proposes strategies that occupational and environmental medicine can address these issues. First, legal and institutional reforms must encompass new labor forms, accompanied by modernized safety and health guidelines. Second, state-of-the-art technologies should be leveraged to enhance predictive disease management and personalized healthcare for workers. Third, a preventive approach integrating chronic disease management, mental healthcare, and psychosocial risk factors must be established. Fourth, fostering interdisciplinary research collaboration across medicine, engineering, and psychology is essential for developing practical solutions to emerging challenges. In conclusion, occupational and environmental medicine in Korea must adapt to effectively address the evolving labor landscape. Through systematic innovation, integrated health-management approaches, technological advancements, and interdisciplinary cooperation, the health and safety of all workers in the rapidly changing world can be ensured.
BACKGROUND
Korean society is undergoing major transformations in labor dynamics owing to demographic shifts, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and digital transformations. The traditional manufacturing-focused economy is gradually transitioning toward an expanding service sector, driven by the increasing demand for healthcare, welfare, education, and business services. These changes are intrinsically linked to factors such as population aging, advancements in information and communication technology, and rising living standards.
Simultaneously, the growth of technology-driven industries and advent of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and big data, have accelerated occupational shifts. Traditional occupations are either becoming obsolete or undergoing significant transformations. Moreover, new jobs are emerging to meet the demands of a dynamic economy. This has catalyzed a transition in employment models from standard to nonstandard forms, including temporary contracts, platform labor, and gig work.
These developments have introduced challenges such as employment insecurity, inequitable access to health programs, and widening disparities in employment benefits, particularly among young and older workers. Additionally, the expansion of gig- and platform-based work, exemplified by delivery services and ride sharing, poses unprecedented challenges for social security systems and worker rights. An aging workforce, combined with physical demands and associated health risks, and the proliferation of remote work, have further complicated workplace stress and mental health management.
The evolving labor environment underscores the heightened significance of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) in addressing these challenges and ensuring worker health and safety through innovative, integrated strategies.1-3
LIMITATIONS OF THE CURRENT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM
Korea’s existing occupational health and safety system has insufficiently adapted to the evolving labor environment, resulting in critical regulatory gaps. These gaps are particularly evident in the management and protection of vulnerable worker groups such as nonregular employees.
Nonstandard workers have limited access to occupational health services, including safety training, health screening, and workplace health management. Furthermore, follow-up care in special health examinations remains inadequate, and the system fails to address the health risks associated with emerging forms of work.
Moreover, OEM practices have traditionally maintained a hazard-centric approach that primarily targets occupational diseases. This narrow focus has impeded a broader shift toward disease-centered frameworks that incorporate chronic diseases, mental health issues, and psychosocial risk factors. Additionally, advanced healthcare technologies such as big data and AI have been scarcely integrated into predictive and preventive health management systems.
Insufficient interdisciplinary collaboration across fields such as medicine, engineering, and psychology has further constrained the development of comprehensive solutions to emerging occupational health challenges. Accordingly, OEM and the occupational health framework must be systematically modernized.4
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
OEM must adapt innovative strategies to address the current and emerging demands of the rapidly changing labor landscape. A modernized legal framework is essential to ensure comprehensive protection for all workers, including those in nonstandard employment. Through legal improvements, we must overcome the occupational health framework centered on regular workers, overcome social exclusion, and improve occupational health service coverage.
Safety and health guidelines must be updated to reflect the reality of digital and platform-based work environments. In particular, there is a need to increase access to occupational health services and utilization to improve health for small businesses and vulnerable workers. Advanced technologies such as AI, big data, and precision medicine should be utilized to predict health risks and provide personalized health management for workers. These tools can facilitate the development of predictive health monitoring systems, enabling the early detection and intervention of potential health issues.
OEM should adopt preventive strategies and strengthening primary care in occupational health to address chronic diseases, mental health concerns, and psychosocial factors. A holistic model of health management tailored to the needs of individual workers is essential.
Strong interdisciplinary partnerships between medicine, engineering, and psychology are crucial for developing practical and scalable solutions for complex, modern occupational health issues.
CONCLUSION
In Korea, OEM must drastically change to effectively address the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving labor environment. Systemic reforms, the integration of advanced technologies, comprehensive health management strategies, and interdisciplinary research are vital for safeguarding the health and safety of all workers. By introducing innovative strategies, OEM can help shape a healthier, safer, and more resilient workforce for the future.
Abbreviations
AI
artificial intelligence
OEM
occupational and environmental medicine
Notes
Competing interests
Sang Baek Ko, a contributing editor of the Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, was not involved in the editorial evaluation or decision to publish this article.