Some trends in worker access to health care in the United States (1974-1983)

As a result of national surveys of occupational health and safety conditions in the American workplace, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has collected data on the provision of health care to workers as a consequence of their employment. Two of these surveys, initiated in 1972 and 1981, permit a preliminary examination of the trends in worker access to such care. This paper presents data on the provision of some aspects of medical care to workers in manufacturing and nonmanufacturing facilities as a result of employment. Among the principal findings are increases in general health care provided to workers, increased use of off-site physicians, and increased use of screening examinations or tests. Other analyses indicate a decreased use of on-site physicians and pre-employment examinations and decreased industrial retention of health information on new employees.