Platform-Mediated Gig Work and Health: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Digital Economy Studies

Background:

• Assessing the empirical literature on platform-mediated gig work and its health implications.
• Examining the scope, depth, and methodological rigor of existing research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize studies on platform-mediated gig work and physical or mental health.
• To identify research gaps and potential mechanisms linking gig work to health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed studies from 2000 to 2024.
• Abstracted data on study design, population, exposure, and health outcomes.
• Analyzed studies for connections to occupational hazards, social determinants, and platform characteristics.

Main Results:

• Identified 45 studies covering transportation safety, injuries, physical health, COVID-19, mental health, and well-being.
• Found cross-sectional and qualitative studies indicating health problems among gig workers.
• Noted a lack of population-representative designs, prospective data, external comparisons, and validated physical health measures.

Conclusions:

• Platform-mediated gig work may uniquely affect worker health, but causal evidence is currently insufficient.
• Future research is needed to investigate the specific impacts of digital platform features (algorithmic control, ratings, surveillance) on worker health.