A1259 Unintentional Injury Mortality Risk in US Workers: National Health Interview Survey 1986-2004

Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Ground Floor (Cancun Center)

Diana Kachan, Epidemiology and Public Health, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami, Fl, United States
Lora E. Fleming, Epidemiology and Public Health, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
Alberto J. Caban Martinez, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
William G. Leblanc, Epidemiology and Public Health, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
Kristopher L. Arheart, Epidemiology and Public Health, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
David J. Lee, Epidemiology and Public Health, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
Tainya C. Clarke, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami, Fl, United States
Manuel A. Ocasio, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
Handouts
  • unintentional injury mortality.pdf (278.6 kB)
  • Introduction
    Detailed analysis of workplace fatalities has identified several high-risk occupations including Forestry/Fishing/Farm workers. However,mortality risk may extend beyond workplace-specific risk. We therefore examined the total unintentional injury mortality risk in US workers across 41 occupational groups.

    Methods
    Data from 1986-2004 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were pooled for all workers (n=662,585) aged >18 years, with mortality linkage available through 2006. A total of Cause of death was recoded and reported using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Workers were classified into 41 occupations based on US Census Occupational Codes. A total of 2,336 unintentional injury deaths occurred in NHIS workers. Hazard ratios were calculated comparing each occupational group with all other workers. Results were stratified by gender and controlled for age and education level.

    Results
    For all workers mortality rates were the highest for: Forestry/fishing (Hazard Ratio=2.69; 95% confidence intervals:1.27-5.72), Construction/extractive trades (1.86;1.57-2.21), Mechanics/repairers (1.33;1.09-1.63). For males, highest risk occupations were: Forestry and fishing occupations (2.63;1.24-5.57), Personal service (2.24;1.02-4.94), Farm operators and managers (1.81;1.35-2.42).For females,highest risk occupations were: Construction and extractive trades (4.94;1.99-12.25), Farm operators and managers (3.4;1.71-6.73), and Food service workers (2.07;1.47-2.91).

    Discussion
    Similar to workplace-specific mortality surveillance findings we found that workers employed in Forestry/fishing and Construction and extractive trades were at increased risk of unintentional injury mortality. However, present analysis identified new high-risk groups, including Personal service and Food service workers. Additional research is needed to understand both workplace and non-workplace factors which lead to increased risk of death due to injury.