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Occupational disease in Connecticut, 2001.
Tim Morse1, Michael Grey, Eileen Storey
1Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030-6210, USA. tmorse@nso.uchc.edu
Connecticut Medicine
|April 3, 2004
Summary
Occupational disease rates declined in Connecticut, but under-reporting remains a significant issue, with an estimated 30,000 cases annually. This highlights the need for better surveillance of workplace illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Occupational Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Occupational diseases represent a significant public health concern.
- Accurate quantification of occupational disease incidence is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the extent and patterns of occupational diseases in Connecticut.
- To estimate the true burden of occupational illness, accounting for under-reporting.
Main Methods:
- Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey, workers' compensation, and physician reports were collected for 2001.
- Capture-recapture analysis was employed to estimate unreported occupational disease cases.
Main Results:
- The rate of reported occupational illnesses decreased to 35.1 per 10,000 workers in 2001.
- Musculoskeletal disorders constituted over 50% of all reported cases.
- A low overlap between workers' compensation and public health reporting indicates substantial under-reporting, with an estimated 30,000+ annual cases.
Conclusions:
- Occupational disease is a highly prevalent condition.
- Significant under-reporting of occupational diseases necessitates improved surveillance and reporting mechanisms.