Why work should be treated as a public health issue

Why work should be treated as a public health issue

From HR Leader Podcast Network by Momentum Media

May 20, 2026 · 24 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of treating work as a public health issue and its impact on holistic wellbeing.

Work is a social determinant of health – given how much time we spend in the workplace, it is one of the most consistent and powerful influences on our holistic wellbeing. To this end, how we view responsibility for our health and work can and should be reconsidered. In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with organisational psychologist, researcher, and leadership adviser Dr Kat Page about her passion for supporting individual workers on the ground, how and why consideration of work goes beyond discussions of mental health and psychological safety, and why the volume of work undertaken means it must be considered a public health issue. Page also delves into the fact that we have less separation from work than ever before, the blurred lines between home and work that impact one's ability to disconnect, how old the idea of work being a public health issue and its resonance with key decision-makers, what the role of the HR function looks like when work is considered a public health issue, rethinking what HR looks like, and how it can bring the business along for the ride.

People in this episode

Host: Jerome Doraisamy

Guest: Dr Kat Page

Topics covered

  • public health
  • workplace wellbeing
  • mental health
  • HR function
  • social determinants of health
  • work-life balance

Keywords

  • workplace
  • health
  • HR
  • psychological safety
  • wellbeing
  • social determinants
  • work-life integration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: HR Leader Podcast, Momentum Media

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