Too Soon to Breathe Easy: Trends in Asbestosis Morbidity and Mortality in Wisconsin.

Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9504688 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1536-5948 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10762752 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Occup Environ Med Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Hagerstown, MD : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Original Publication: Baltimore, MD : Williams & Wilkins, c1995-

Asbestosis*/mortality; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Wisconsin/epidemiology ; Adult ; Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data ; Aged, 80 and over ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure/statistics & numerical data ; Industry ; Occupational Diseases/mortality ; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology ; Occupations/statistics & numerical data

Objectives: This study aimed to describe asbestosis morbidity and mortality in two statewide samples. We considered trends, demographic disparities, and excess mortality.
Methods: We assessed trends and demographic differences in asbestosis morbidity using hospital and emergency department (ED) visits. We calculated asbestosis mortality rates using vital records data and computed proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) to assess excess deaths by standardized industry and occupation codes.
Results: Asbestosis diagnoses peaked in 2008 and have declined since that time. Several occupations and industry codes, including those in Production/Manufacturing, Construction, and Transportation, were associated with an excess burden of asbestosis mortality.
Conclusions: Despite declining diagnoses, asbestosis remains a risk for workers. Our findings of excess mortality for Transportation-related industry and occupation codes are unique and may indicate previously unrecognized risks in these jobs.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: Dr Creswell, Dr McCoy, and Mr Morris have received travel support to attend meetings of the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).
(Copyright © 2024 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.)

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Date Created: 20250102 Date Completed: 20250102 Latest Revision: 20250102

20250103

10.1097/JOM.0000000000003252

39746475