Association of Physical Health Indices With Antidepressant and/or Anxiolytic Use in Former US Coal Miners

Most health research on coal miners has focused primarily on cardiorespiratory health and injuries, despite the presence of significant risk factors for poor mental health in the industry, including illness and pain, traumatic experiences, and socioeconomic stressors.

Clinical and occupational data from coal miners examined in a West Virginia clinic between 2004 and 2015 were used to examine associations between physical indicators of health and antidepressant/anxiolytic medication use (proxy for depression/anxiety) through multivariable models.

Antidepressant/anxiolytic use was prevalent (35%) in this population. Lung function impairment, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and trauma significantly increased the odds of antidepressant/anxiolytic medication use.

This study reveals a high burden of depression and/or anxiety among US coal miners and underscores the importance of evaluating this workforce for their mental health, which has largely been ignored to date.