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Research findings

The aim of the Opioid-Related Harms among Ontario Workers project is to share information about opioid-related harms occurring within the Ontario working population, to enhance efforts to address the opioid crisis. Listed below are project findings, including plain-language summaries, infographics, presentations and scientific publications.

Plain-language summaries

Formerly injured workers have higher risk of opioid-related harms than the general population in Ontario
This summary highlights key messages from a scientific publication comparing opioid-related harms in a cohort of formerly injured workers in Ontario and the general public. It found Ontario workers who previously experienced a work-related injury demonstrate higher rates of opioid-related harms, namely poisonings and mental and behavioural disorders, compared to the general population. Posted: September 2024.

In which occupations are formerly injured Ontario workers most at-risk of opioid-related harms?
This summary highlights key messages from a scientific publication that examines how the risk of opioid-related harms varied by occupation and industry in a large group of formerly injured workers in Ontario. The findings can guide targeted prevention and harm reduction strategies for workers and workplaces at higher risk of opioid-related harms. Posted: October 2024.

Infographics

Opioid-related harms: Comparison between formerly injured workers and the general Ontario population by occupation
This infographic highlights the occupational groups with the highest risks of opioid-related poisonings and mental and behavioural disorders, compared to the general population. Posted: September 2024.

Opioid-related harms: An overall comparison between formerly injured workers and the general Ontario population
This infographic compares the rates of opioid-related harms in a large group of formerly injured workers to rates in the working-aged general Ontario population. Posted: October 2024.

Opioid-related harms: Risks by occupation among formerly injured Ontario workers
This infographic highlights the occupational groups most at risk of opioid-related harms, when compared with other workers in a cohort of formerly injured workers. Posted: October 2024.

Presentations

Occupational patterns in opioid-related harms among Ontario workers
This IWH Speaker Series presentation outlines the aims of the Opioid-Related Harms among Ontario Workers project, as well as early findings from the project. The presentation was given by Institute for Work & Health Scientist Dr. Nancy Carnide and Occupational Cancer Research Centre (Ontario Health) Director Dr. Paul Demers. Presented: June 2023.

Scientific publications

Occupational patterns of opioid-related harms comparing a cohort of formerly injured workers to the general population in Ontario, Canada
This open-access article (available to anyone), published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, compares the incidence of opioid-related harms among a cohort of formerly injured workers to the general population in Ontario, Canada. Published: April 2024.

Risk of opioid-related harms by occupation within a large cohort of formerly injured workers in Ontario, Canada: Findings from the Occupational Disease Surveillance System
This open-access article (available to anyone), published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, identifies occupations at most risk of opioid-related harms among a large group of formerly injured workers in Ontario, Canada. Published: October 2024.

Opioid-Related Harms among Ontario Workers is a collaboration between the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and the Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) at Ontario Health.

Behind the data used in this project are the individual stories of workers who have experienced opioid-related harms. We recognize that these workers’ stories are not reflected in the data, but we would like to acknowledge the pain and suffering of these workers, and their families, friends, colleagues, and others who support them.

This project and production of this website has been made possible through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) (2021-HQ-000092). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.