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We used 1997-2004 National Health Interview Survey data to evaluate the prevalence of sensory impairment among US workers 65 years and older. Hearing impairment prevalence was 3 times that of visual impairment (33.4% vs 10.2%), and 38% of older workers reported experiencing either impairment. Farm operators, mechanics, and motor vehicle operators had the highest prevalence of sensory impairment. Workplace screening and accommodations, including sensory protection devices for older workers, are warranted given the greater risk for injuries among the sensory impaired. (doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.141630)

BACKGROUND: Algal blooms of Karenia brevis, a harmful marine algae, occur almost annually off the west coast of Florida. At high concentrations, K. brevis blooms can cause harm through the [...]

BACKGROUND: In previous studies we demonstrated statistically significant changes in reported symptoms for lifeguards, general beach goers, and persons with asthma, as well as statistically significant changes in pulmonary function [...]

Regular cancer screening can prevent the development of some cancers and increase patient survival for other cancers. We evaluated the reported cancer screening prevalence among a nationally representative sample of all US workers with data from the 2000 and 2005 Cancer Screening Supplements of the National Health Interview Survey. Overall, workers with the lowest rates of health insurance coverage (in particular, Hispanic workers, agricultural workers, and construction workers) reported the lowest cancer screening. There was no significant improvement from 2000 to 2005. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008. 135699)

Objectives. This 'article examines the effects of work status, occupational sector, and occupation type on depressive symptoms in older Americans. We partially controlled for the healthy worker selection effect by including disability as a predictor of both work status and depressive symptoms. Methods. We analyzed a nationally representative sample of 23,247 respondents aged 65 to 88 from the National Health Interview Survey pooled over 1997 to 2000. We used structural equation models with latent variables to assess relationships between work/occupation and depressive symptoms. Results. Older Americans who work bad lower levels of depressive symptoms as compared to older nonworkers. Membership in several worker groups, generally higher status occupations, protected against depressive symptoms. After controlling for disability, the difference in level of depressive symptoms for workers versus nonworkers did not persist. However, workers in specific occupational sectors and types reported different levels of depressive symptoms even when we controlled for disability. Discussion. The mental health benefit of working, among persons aged 65 and older, may be due to the healthy worker effect. However, the particular job sector in which older workers are employed matters. Socioeconomic status and financial versus personal motivations for working are potentially important explanations for differences.

Objectives. We examined the roles of teaching hospitals, insurance status, and race/ethnicity in women's receipt of adjuvant therapy for regional-stage breast cancer. Methods. Data were taken from the Florida Cancer Data System for cases diagnosed from July 1997 to December 2000. We evaluated the impact of health insurance status and hospital type on use of adjuvant therapy (after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, and marital status). Interaction terms for hospital type, insurance status, and race/ethnicity were entered in each model. Results. Teaching facilities diagnosed 12.5% of the cases; however, they cared for a disproportionate percentage (21.3%) of uninsured and Medicaid-insured women. Among women who received adjuvant chemotherapy only, those diagnosed in teaching hospitals were more likely than those diagnosed in nonteaching hospitals to receive therapy regardless of insurance status or race/ethnicity. Among women who received chemotherapy with or without hormonal therapy, Hispanics were more likely than White non-Hispanic women to receive therapy, whereas women with private insurance or Medicare were less likely than uninsured and Medicaid-insured women to receive this type of therapy. Conclusions. Teaching facilities play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of regional-stage breast cancer among Hispanics, uninsured women, and women insured by Medicaid.

Objectives. Obesity has emerged as one of the most important public health issues in the United States. We assessed obesity prevalence rates and their trends among major US occupational groups. Methods. Self-reported weight and height were collected annually on US workers, aged 18 years or older, from the 1986 to 1995 and the 1997 to 2002 National Health Interview Surveys. Overall, occupation-, race-, and gender-specific rates of obesity (defined as a body mass index>30.0 kg/[m.sup.2]) were calculated with data pooled from both study periods (n > 600 000). Annual occupation-specific prevalence rates were also calculated, and their time trends were assessed. Results. Obesity rates increased significantly over time among employed workers, irrespective of race and gender. The average yearly change increased from 0.61% ([+ or -] .04) during the period from 1986 to 1995 to 0.95% ([+ or -] .11) during the period from 1997 to 2002. Average obesity prevalence rates and corresponding trends varied considerably across occupational groups; pooled obesity prevalence rates were highest in motor vehicle operators (31.7% in men; 31.0% in women). Conclusions. Weight loss intervention programs targeting workers employed in occupational groups with high or increasing rates of obesity are urgently needed. (Am J Public Health. 2005;95:1614-1622. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2004.050112)

Florida red tides annually occur in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting from blooms of the marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. K. brevis produces highly potent natural polyether toxins, known as brevetoxins, [...]

Karenia brevis (formerly Gymnodinium breve) is a marine dinoflagellate responsible for red tides that form in the Gulf of Mexico. K. brevis produces brevetoxins, the potent toxins that cause neurotoxic [...]

Red tides in the Gulf of Mexico are commonly formed by the fish-killing dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, which produces nine potent polyether brevetoxins (PbTxs). Brevetoxins can be transferred from water to [...]

We need to critically assess the present quality of the marine ecosystem, especially the connection between ecosystem change and threats to human health. In this article we review the current [...]

Florida red tide is caused by Karenia brevis, a dinoflagellate that periodically blooms, releasing its potent neurotoxin, brevetoxin, into the surrounding waters and air along the coast of the Gulf [...]

The presence of all three classes of pathogens (viral, protozoan and bacterial) as well as indicator microbes at a non-point source recreational beach is assessed. The analysis of the various microbes under different targeted environmental conditions has included the evaluation of the sources of microbial contaminants and pathogens and the effectiveness of various analytical methods for microbe detection.

The results of the National Health Interview Survey (1997 to 2003) which suggests the need of dental care access among workers are discussed.

Objectives. This study assessed the health effects associated with occupational exposure to methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride among structural fumigation workers. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 123 structural fumigation workers and 120 referents in south Florida was conducted. Nerve conduction, vibration, neurobehavioral, visual, olfactory, and renal function testing was included. Results. The median lifetime duration of methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride exposure among workers was 1.20 years and 2.85 years, respectively. Sulfuryl fluoride exposure over the year preceding examination was associated with significantly reduced performance on the Pattern Memory Test and on olfactory testing. In addition, fumigation workers had significantly reduced performance on the Santa Ana Dexterity Test of the dominant hand and a nonsignificantly higher prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome than did the referents. Conclusions. Occupational sulfuryl fluoride exposures may be associated with subclinical effects on the central nervous system, including effects on olfactory and some cognitive functions. However, no widespread pattern of cognitive deficits was observed. The peripheral nerve effects were likely caused by ergonomic stresses experienced by the fumigation workers. (Am J Public Health. 1998; 88: 1774-1780)

This study assessed the risk of hospitalization among firefighters. Data were derived from a nationally representative sample of 235 897 employed men from the National Health Interview Survey. Firefighters aged 30 to 39 years were at significantly increased risk for hospitalization relative to other employed men in the same age group (odds ratio = 1.93; 95% confidence interva1 = 1.21, 3.09). Findings from this study and others support the call for longitudinal studies to monitor the health of this high-risk occupational group.