However, older workers also bring a higher risk of injury into the workplace and introduce additional concerns for worker safety. The chapter on genetically and medically susceptible workers is particularly well written and introduces concerns not often addressed with regard to the workforce. The authors point out that there has been relatively little research on the susceptibility of workers with chronic disease to job risk and the worker's ability to sustain employment, given the need for accommodations to disease progression and treatment. HIV infection are discussed. With improved technology there has been a resurgence of interest in the application of genetic testing.
Some genetic markers indicate increased susceptibility to xenobiotics.
Other chapters address the farmworker and experiences in developing nations with the global economy. In her chapter on legal solutions, Emily Spieler, from West Virginia University, identifies three areas of law that are relevant to special worker populations from the occupational health perspective. These include laws against discrimination in employment, universal protection for all workers, and legal protection for people at increased risk for specific diseases. The final chapter addresses a multifaceted, comprehensive strategy for worker representation to enhance safety and health. This volume is well worth the few dollars it costs, and it provides an interesting read on the challenges facing special populations in the workplace.