Disparities in occupational injury hospitalization rates in five states (2003–2009). Issue 5 (4th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sears, Jeanne M.; Bowman, Stephen M.; Hogg‐Johnson, Sheilah
• Is Part Of: American journal of industrial medicine. Volume 58:Issue 5(2015:May)
• Page Start: 528
• Page End: 540
• Publication Date: 2015-03-04
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Médecine du travail -- Périodiques; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22427
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-3586

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajim22427-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Achievement of health equity and elimination of disparities are overarching goals of Healthy People 2020, yet there is a paucity of population‐based data regarding race/ethnicity‐based disparities in occupational injuries.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22427-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Hospital discharge data for five states (Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York) were obtained from the Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project (HCUP) for 2003–2009. Age‐adjusted rates and trends for work‐related injury hospitalizations were calculated using negative binomial regression (reference category: non‐Latino white).</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22427-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Latinos were significantly more likely to have a work‐related traumatic injury hospitalization. The disparity for Latinos was greatest for machinery‐related hospitalizations. Latinos were also more likely to have a fall‐related hospitalization. African‐Americans were more likely to have an occupational assault‐related hospitalization, but less likely to have a fall‐related hospitalization.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajim22427-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>We found evidence of substantial multistate disparities in occupational injury‐related hospitalizations. Enhanced surveillance and further research are needed to identify and address underlying causes. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:528–540, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>