Social Determinants, Occupational Health, and Chronic Disease: Shaping a Conceptual Model

Objective: The purpose of this manuscript is to present a conceptual model of the occurrence of chronic disease in the economically active population based on existing theoretical models in public health and occupational health. Methodology: Through a qualitative approach based on a selection and analysis of theoretical models in public health and occupational health and following the guidelines of the reference literature for the construction of conceptual models in health, a conceptual model is proposed that integrates social determinants occupational health and chronic disease at a macro level of the work-health relationship. Results: The proposed conceptual model positions work as the distal determinant of most significant influence on human health, managing to highlight the importance of this, which, while exceeding the level analysis of the work-health relationship, focused on working conditions to locate it at the macro level of employment conditions. Conclusion: The increase in the prevalence and incidence of chronic disease in the economically active population poses a challenge for public health and occupational health since work is a crucial determinant of health. Therefore, a conceptual model is proposed to advance the understanding of the health-work relationship in which acting on employment conditions can promote the health of this population.