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Associations between disease and occupation: hypotheses generated from the National Mortality Followback Survey
R Reviere1, S Schneider, K Woolbright
1Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Howard University, Washington, DC 20059, USA.
Insights
This study identified leading causes of death and occupational risks. Lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and specific occupational exposures were highlighted as significant health events.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sentinel Health Events Occupational (SHE(O)s) are crucial indicators of workplace health risks.
- Understanding the leading causes of death and associated occupations is vital for targeted public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the top five Sentinel Health Events Occupational (SHE(O)s) and leading causes of death.
- To determine the primary occupations and industries linked to these mortality events.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the 1986 National Mortality Followback Survey data.
- Employed proportionate mortality ratios to analyze industry and occupation associations with mortality categories.
Main Results:
- Cardiovascular diseases constituted four of the five leading causes of death.
- The leading SHE(O) was cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung, followed by renal failure, bladder cancer, myeloid leukemia, and liver cancer.
- Confirmed lower lung cancer risk in farmers and excess liver cancer risk in eating/drinking place workers.
Conclusions:
- Occupational exposures and industry significantly influence mortality patterns.
- Findings highlight specific SHE(O)s and at-risk occupations, informing future occupational health strategies.
- Hypothesized new associations, such as motor vehicle dealers and bladder cancer, warrant further investigation.
Abstract:
This study uses the National Mortality Followback Survey of 1986 to identify the top five Sentinel Health Events Occupational [SHE(O)s], the five leading causes of death, and to ascertain the primary occupations and industries associated with these. We found that, as expected, cardiovascular diseases were four of the five leading causes of death overall. In addition, the SHE(O) responsible for most deaths was cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung, followed by renal failure, bladder cancer, myeloid leukemia, and liver cancer. We employed proportionate mortality ratios to analyze the relationship between industry and occupation and category of mortality. In brief, we validated findings by other researchers; for example, farmers were at lower risk of cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung, and workers in eating/drinking places had excess risk of liver cancer. We also hypothesize other relationships, such as between motor vehicle dealers and bladder cancer.