Trends in occupational diseases in Finland, 1975-2013: a register study

Area of Science:

• Occupational health and safety
• Epidemiology
• Public health surveillance

Background:

• Occupational diseases (ODs) pose a significant public health challenge.
• Understanding long-term incidence trends is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
• Finland has a comprehensive registry for tracking occupational diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in recognized and suspected occupational diseases in Finland from 1975 to 2013.
• To identify variations in incidence across different industrial sectors.
• To explore factors influencing these incidence variations.

Main Methods:

• A register-based study utilizing data from the Finnish Registry of Occupational Diseases (FROD).
• Analysis of approximately 240,000 cases of suspected and recognized ODs.
• Calculation of incidence rates per 10,000 employees, employing 5-year moving averages and Poisson regression for trend analysis.

Main Results:

• Overall OD incidence decreased from 25.0/10,000 employees in 1975 to 20.1/10,000 in 2013.
• Highest incidence rates were observed in mining and quarrying, construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
• A significant decreasing trend in OD incidence was noted from 2005 onwards, particularly in agriculture, transportation, and construction, with upper limb strain injuries showing the greatest decline.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a valuable long-term overview of occupational disease status in Finland.
• Identified high-risk occupations and industries can guide targeted preventive actions.
• Continuous monitoring of OD trends is essential to understand and mitigate occupational risks effectively.