The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48240

Tim Morse, PhD, Community Medicine/Occupational Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Ergo Center MC6210, Farmington, CT 06030-6210, 8606784720, tmorse@nso.uchc.edu and Michael Grey, MD, MPH, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT 06030-6210.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are the most common occupational illness both nationally and in Connecticut, accounting for approximately 2/3 of all occupational illness. Connecticut has an Occupational Disease Surveillance Program (ODSS), which tracks occupational diseases through three systems: the BLS/OSHA annual survey, workers' compensation First Reports of Injury, and a physicians reporting system. The system has been completely operational for about 5 years, and the data and trends for MSD from 1996-2000 will be reviewed. Differences in trends by data source will be examined, such as the decrease in reports based on BLS contrasted with an increase based on workers' compensation over the time period. Attributed causes, industry distribution, and physician diagnoses will be presented. Results will be compared to the 1996 Connecticut Upper-extremity Surveillance Project (CUSP), a population-based phone survey on MSD. Results from a prior capture-recapture study of un-reported MSD will also be utilized to assess the adequacy of the different data systems.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
• 1. Identify the magnitude and trends in work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in Connecticut.
• 2. Evaluate the differences in occupational disease surveillance data sources, with strengths and weaknesses.
• 3. Assess the under-reporting of current systems for MSD

Keywords: Occupational Surveillance, Ergonomics

Related Web page: www.commed.uchc.edu/faculty/morse/default.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.