International trends in occupational health research and practice.

The paper argues for a "new generation" approach to occupational health, laying foundations for future demands. Occupational health deals with issues which are at the heart of the economy and society, and are beginning to attract increasing attention of politicians. Old disciplinary barriers must be crossed, and communication improved so that healthy work is accepted as a mainstream concern.

Working life across cultures: "Work Life 2000: Quality in Work" and occupational health education in developing countries.

The article reflects on the changing world of work, and the challenges presented to both occupational health and occupational health education. We draw on the 63 preparatory workshops and the international conference in the "Work Life 2000: Quality in Work" program, an initiative of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union. The International Commission on Occupational Health is introduced, with particular concentration on a current practical project initiated by the Department of Health in South Africa, intended to lead to a set of projects, networking for occupational health education in developing countries.

Electromagnetic fields and health outcomes.

Over the past two decades, there has been increasing interest in the biological effects and possible health outcomes of weak, low-frequency electric and magnetic fields. Epidemiological studies on magnetic fields and cancer, reproduction and neurobehavioural reactions have been presented. More recently, neurological, degenerative and heart diseases have also been reported to be related to such electromagnetic fields.

Europe and working life.

Working life in Europe is presented as a focus of both research and practice in science and politics, and as the unifying element behind a series of initiatives for the new millennium, at local, regional, national, European, and international levels. Partnership, dialog, and networking are both the medium and the message, with human networking as a precondition for the effective use of information and communication technologies. The European approach to working life is seen as setting new agendas at the international level, deriving collaborative advantage from diversity.

Eye discomfort and work with visual display terminals.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between eye discomfort symptoms and work with visual display terminals among routine office workers.

Methods: Three hundred and twenty-seven office workers and their work stations were investigated by means of questionnaires and worksite investigations. The data were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analyses.