The goal of this project is to examine and monitor opioid-related adverse health events among Ontario workers.
Find out how the ODSS is monitoring the health impacts of opioids
Use the interactive data visualization tool to explore patterns of opioid-related harms among Ontario workers
View research summaries, infographics, and other resources
In March 2024, IWH and OCRC hosted a workshop to raise awareness and explore opportunities to mitigate opioid-related harms in the workplace. A summary of the event is available on the IWH website, and a full report is in progress.
Canada continues to face a public health crisis with opioid-related harms that has resulted in profound consequences for many Canadians. In response to this crisis, there are existing surveillance systems that have identified certain groups associated with opioid-related harms, however there is no information collected on the working population in Canada. Monitoring the opioid crisis in the Ontario working population is essential to understanding opioid-related harms in workers. This project, in partnership with the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), aims to establish a surveillance system for opioid-related harms in the Ontario workforce.
This project uses occupational and health data of Ontario workers in the Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS). Information on opioid-poisonings (overdoses), mental and behavioural disorders (e.g., dependence, withdrawal, intoxication), and adverse drug reactions are captured through records of hospitalizations and emergency department visits. For detailed methods, visit the project website.
The study findings are available on the project website. To explore the data further, use the interactive data tool.
As of December 2024, analyses of the incidence of poisonings, mental and behavioural disorders, and adverse reactions among Ontario workers are complete. We are exploring opportunities to investigate opioid-related mortality and other outcomes.
This project was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada (2021-HQ-000092). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
