SP-05 Challenges and opportunities in contemporary occupational epidemiology research

Occupational epidemiology has traditionally relied on large records-based studies of workers to examine the association between an industrial exposure and a chronic disease outcome. These studies are highly informative for worker protection and environmental standards. However, establishing and maintaining large occupational cohorts has always been time and resource intensive. These studies are becoming increasingly challenging to initiate. Furthermore, the nature of work is changing; industrial cohort data cannot always address complex exposures and working conditions or the social and organizational factors that affect contemporary workers. In this symposium, I will present current efforts to develop a cohort of workers exposed to carbon nanomaterials, and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with this ongoing effort. I will also discuss emerging themes in occupational epidemiology which can be used to address contemporary challenges in research development, including methodological developments, legal epidemiology, open-source software, occupational health equity, and social and structural determinants of occupational health.