Occupational inequalities in mortality from cardiovascular disease, 2020-2021

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality declines have stalled in recent years.
• Occupational factors are recognized contributors to CVD mortality.
• This study investigates socioeconomic and occupational disparities in CVD mortality among US working-age adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine inequalities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality across different occupations in the United States.
• To identify specific occupations with elevated CVD mortality risks.
• To inform targeted public health interventions and workplace safety strategies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized death certificate data for CVD deaths from the National Center for Health Statistics.
• Coded occupation data from death certificates to major occupational groups.
• Calculated age- and sex-adjusted mortality rates and rate ratios (RRs) using American Community Survey workforce data.

Main Results:

• Eleven occupations demonstrated significantly elevated CVD mortality rate ratios (RRs) after adjusting for covariates.
• Occupations with high RRs included food preparation, construction, arts/media, protective services, and healthcare practitioners.
• Significant CVD mortality inequalities were observed across diverse occupational sectors.

Conclusions:

• Occupation is a significant predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.
• Further research is warranted to understand how occupational exposures influence CVD trends.
• Workplace-based interventions are crucial to mitigate occupational risk factors and reduce CVD mortality.