Related Experiment Videos
Mortality patterns among female nurses: a 27-state study, 1984 through 1990
L A Peipins1, C Burnett, T Alterman
1Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
American Journal of Public Health
|October 7, 1997
Summary
This study found nurses under 65 had higher risks of death from viral hepatitis, certain cancers, accidents, suicide, and drug use. Older nurses showed excess deaths from chronic myeloid leukemia, highlighting occupational hazards.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Nurses face unique workplace exposures and health risks.
- Understanding nurse mortality patterns is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous studies suggest elevated risks for certain conditions among healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the mortality experience of a large cohort of nurses.
- To compare nurse mortality rates for specific causes of death against general and white-collar worker populations.
- To identify occupational hazards contributing to excess mortality in nurses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the National Occupational Mortality Surveillance database, analyzing death certificates for approximately 50,000 nurses.
- Calculated proportionate mortality ratios, adjusted for race and age.
- Compared mortality data for female nurses against all workers and white-collar workers.
Main Results:
- Nurses under 65 exhibited excess deaths from viral hepatitis, nasal cavity cancers, accidental falls, suicide, and drug-related causes.
- A higher-than-expected mortality from chronic myeloid leukemia was observed in nurses aged 65 and older.
- Proportionate mortality ratios for breast and colon cancers, diabetes, and heart disease showed variability depending on the occupational comparison group.
Conclusions:
- Findings corroborate previous research on nurse mortality and reveal novel associations.
- The study underscores the need for intensified efforts to mitigate workplace hazards for nurses.
- Identified specific causes of death warranting focused prevention strategies within the nursing profession.