BACKGROUND: Detection, registration, and reporting of Occupational Illnesses are limited in the US and globally due to lack of recognition and lack of diagnostic criteria.
METHODS: Methods for establishing usable case definitions for occupational diseases in three international systems include retaining experts, reviewing gray and peer-reviewed literature, and coming to a consensus. The World health Organization's ICD11, the International Labor Organization's List of Occupational Diseases, and the World Health Organization's Ways of Working effort to update a guidance document for early diagnosis are three important such efforts.
RESULTS: The process for establishing global standards, as well as lists, diagnoses, and implications for workers' health and well-being will be presented.
CONCLUSIONS: Harmonization of standards for diagnosis and reporting of occupational illnesses will allow for country to country comparisons and a better understanding of how international flow of trade and industry impacts the health of workers, worldwide.