 Diagnosis
Accurately determining the cause of a work- or environmentally-related disease or illness and its specific association to a chemical (toxicological), biological, or physical exposure, hazard, or occupation. condition is the key to effective treatment and prevention, as well as to compensability and preserving a job, occupation, or home. |
 Treatment
Many occupational or environmental diseases—when accurately diagnosed—can be effectively treated by removal of the identified or suspected offending substance(s) or conditions. In some cases, temporary or permanent relocation from a job or home is necessary. Certain diseases require medication or other medical intervention. Others are irreversible. |
 Prevention
For occupations with hazardous exposures, disease prevention and regulatory compliance (e.g., OSHA, MSHA) is achieved through medical surveillance, biological monitoring, exposure controls and monitoring, and training. Statistical analysis of individual and group medical and exposure data is essential to evaluate compliance program effectiveness and areas on which to focus or improve measures to protect employees’ health. |
 Public Health
The Occupational and Environmental Medicine physician diagnoses and treats not only individuals, but also evaluates and prevents disease in populations (groups of people) with a common exposure, illness or disease in a workplace, industry, occupation, dwelling, or community. |