252228 Unintentional Injury Mortality Risk in US Workers: National Health Interview Survey 1986-2004

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Lora E. Fleming, MD, PhD , European Centre for Environment and Human Health (PCMD) and Univesity of Miami OHH Center and NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Diana Kachan, BS , Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, DO, PhD, MPH , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
William G. LeBlanc, PhD , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Kristopher L. Arheart, EdD , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Sharon L. Christ, PhD , Purdue University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, West Lafayette, IN
Katherine Chung-Bridges, MD, MPH , Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Terry Pitman, BA , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
David Lee, PhD , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Objectives: Detailed analysis of workplace fatalities has identified several high-risk occupations including Forestry/Fishing/Farm workers. However,mortality risk may extend beyond workplace-specific risk. We therefore examined the total unintentional injury mortality risk in US workers across 41 occupational groups. Methods: Data from 1986-2004 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were pooled for all workers (n=662,585) aged >18 years, with mortality linkage available through 2006. A total of Cause of death was recoded and reported using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Workers were classified into 41 occupations based on US Census Occupational Codes. A total of 2,336 unintentional injury deaths occurred in NHIS workers. Hazard ratios were calculated comparing each occupational group with all other workers. Results were stratified by gender and controlled for age and education level. Results: For all workers mortality rates were the highest for: Forestry/fishing (Hazard Ratio=2.69; 95% confidence intervals:1.27-5.72), Construction/extractive trades (1.86;1.57-2.21), Mechanics/repairers (1.33;1.09-1.63). For males, highest risk occupations were: Forestry and fishing occupations (2.63;1.24-5.57), Personal service (2.24;1.02-4.94), Farm operators and managers (1.81;1.35-2.42).For females,highest risk occupations were: Construction and extractive trades (4.94;1.99-12.25), Farm operators and managers (3.4;1.71-6.73), and Food service workers (2.07;1.47-2.91). Conclusions: Similar to workplace-specific mortality surveillance findings we found that workers employed in Forestry/fishing and Construction and extractive trades were at increased risk of unintentional injury mortality. However, present analysis identified new high-risk groups, including Personal service and Food service workers. Additional research is needed to understand both workplace and non-workplace factors which lead to increased risk of death due to injury.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the occupations at greatest risk for unintentional injury mortality. 2. Identify the gender differences in occupations at high risk for unintentional injury mortality. 3.Discuss the need for additional research in worker groups identified as having the highest rates of unintentional injury mortality

Keywords: Injury Risk, Occupational Injury and Death

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a student being mentored by an occupational epidemiologist
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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