[Work-related diseases--a medical problem or a social problem?]

The author presents, on the basis of the available literature, an issue of work-related diseases which are identified as diseases of multi-factor etiology. This group of diseases can be induced or progressed by unfavourable working conditions. Among them, the effect of certain chemicals, dust pollution, unphysiological job performance and psycho-social factors plays an essential role. Because of multi-factor etiology of some work-related diseases such as back pains, arterial hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, chronic bronchitis and psycho-somatic illnesses, the diagnosis, collection of information on the incidence and undertaking of preventive measures involve a muldisciplinary system of health care, mainly based on occupational health services.