Cardiovascular Health Risk Behaviors by Occupation in the NYC Labor Force

We explored associations between occupation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk behaviors including: attempted weight loss, physical activity, smoking, and restaurant meal and sugary beverage consumption.

We used NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013 to 2014 data, and coded free-text, occupational question responses using 2010 US Census Bureau Classification. CVD risk behaviors were compared across occupational categories, using regression to adjust for demographics.

There were health behavior differences across occupational categories. Construction/transportation/maintenance workers smoked more and were less likely than management to attempt weight loss, service workers were less likely to eat restaurant-prepared meals, sales/office workers were less likely to be physically active (all P < 0.05). Adjusting for demographics, differences in health behaviors were reduced, but remained present.

Knowledge of occupational disparities may aid chronic disease prevention by identifying populations for targeted interventions.