Linking Compensation and Health Surveillance Data Sets to Improve Knowledge of US Coal Miners' Health. Issue 10 (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Almberg, Kirsten S.; Cohen, Robert A.; Blackley, David J.; Laney, Anthony S.; Storey, Eileen; Halldin, Cara N.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 59:Issue 10(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Increase knowledge of US coal miners' respiratory health by linking data from the black lung benefits program (BLBP) and the coal workers' health surveillance program (CWHSP). Methods: BLBP claims data from 2000 through 2013 was linked to CWHSP data from 1970 through 2016. Results: Overall, 273, 644 miners participated in CWHSP, 37, 548 in BLBP, and 22, 903 in both programs. Median age of miners at their time of first/only participation in CWHSP was 28 and 32 years, respectively. BLBP claimants were older (median age 59). Thirty-nine percent of BLBP claimants had not participated in CWHSP. The relative contributions of states to participation differed between CWHSP and BLBP. For example, Kentucky miners accounted for 18% of CWHSP participants, but 36% of BLPB participants. Conclusions: Many BLBP claimants never appeared in CWHSP, indicating missed opportunities for secondary prevention.