Prevalence of selected pathology among currently certified active airmen

It is the policy of the Federal Aviation Administration to medically certify individuals for flying who have medical deficiency or disease, provided such action does not compromise air safety. During recent years, for example, standards have been relaxed on contact lens use and medication has been allowed for control of hypertension. This descriptive epidemiologic study of the prevalence of pathology among active airmen as of Jan. 1, 1980--by major body system and for other selected pathologies of interest within the major body systems--used data from active computer files maintained by the Aeromedical Certification Branch of the Civil Aeromedical Institute in connection with the certification program. Some 350,701 (42%) active airmen require correction for some visual deficiency. Of this total, 20,058 are contact lens wearers. After eye pathology, cardiovascular and abdominal pathology represent the most prevalent medical conditions among active airmen (3.7% and 2.6% respectively). Overall, disease prevalence is greater among currently certified airmen than among previous groups studied. This increase in prevalence is probably a reflection of more liberal standards more than any other single factor.