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Objectives: To provide an overview of the health status of young US workers across four domains: functional health, physical and psychological health, health behavior, and health care utilization. Methods: Pooled data from the 2004 to 2010 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed for 11,279 US workers aged 18 to 24 years, representing an estimated 16.9 million workers annually. Thirty-nine health indicators were examined and compared across nine occupational groups. Results: Compared with other occupational groups, craft workers and laborers and helpers had the highest prevalence of risky health behaviors, including current smoking and risky drinking, as well as fewer reported visits to a primary care physician in the past year. Conclusions: Young workers engage in risky health behaviors, and may benefit from targeted workplace interventions to mitigate the potentially negative long-term effects on health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which was aimed to describe the health status and risk indicator trends in a representative sample of U.S. health care workers aged 45 years and older. The study performed logistic regression analyses using pooled data from the 1997-2009 National Health Interview Survey. The study concluded that healthier workplaces and targeted interventions are needed to optimize the ability to meet health care demands of this aging workforce.

The article discusses the survey conducted by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) concerning the smoking rate trends of blue and white-collar workers in the U.S. The NHIS is a nationally representative survey of the American civilian population. Smoking and current occupational status were assessed over the survey periods 1987 to 1994 and 1997 to 2004. The development of effective smoking prevention strategies specifically targeting the blue-collar groups is warranted. The results of the survey are also emphasized in the article.

The article focuses on the study which examines the cancer risk associated with firefighting. The sample is made up of a cohort of state-certified Florida firefighters together with the representatives of the state's general population, for comparison purposes. To get their cancer incidence, data linkage has been organized between the Florida Fire Marshal's database and the Florida Cancer Data System, while their vital status were determined by data linkages to both the Florida Vital Statistics and Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. As the data were analyzed through the use of SAS System for Windows V8, it was found out among male professional firefighters that there was an increase incidence of bladder cancer and the greater incidence of testicular cancer.

The article presents a case study that evaluates the risk of lung cancer mortality in a nationally representative sample of U.S. workers in varying occupations. Researchers had considered the National Death Index linkage which identifies 1,812 lung cancer among 143, 863 workers who were respondents in the National Health Interview Surveys conducted in 1987-1988 and 1990-1994. Results reveal that current and former smoking status was predictive of lung cancer mortality, while heating, air refrigeration mechanics, financial records processing jobs, freight stock and materials handling are among the occupations that have higher risk of lung cancer death.

Objective: The objective of this study was to rank U.S. occupations by worker morbidity. Methods: From 1986 through 1994, morbidity information was collected on over 410,000 U.S. workers who participated in the National Health Interview Survey, an annual household survey representative of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. A multivariate adjusted logistic regression morbidity summary score was created for each worker group based on seven indicators: days of restricted activity, bedrest, and missed work in the previous 2 weeks; doctor visits and hospitalizations in the previous 12 months; reported health conditions; and health status. Results: Worker groups reporting the greatest morbidity included social workers, inspectors, postal clerks, psychologists, and grinding machine operators; worker groups reporting the least morbidity included dentists, pilots, physicians, pharmacists, and dietitians. Conclusions: These findings aid in the identification of worker groups that require increased attention for morbidity research and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We sought to assess the validity of using current or most recent occupation as surrogate for longest-held job (and its exposures). Methods: The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is an annual, probability, cross-sectional U.S. population survey. The 1986 and 1988 NHIS occupational supplements provided information for more than 49,000 workers. Using Cohen's Kappa, concordance was assessed by occupational group and several subgroups. Results: Statistically significant results were observed for all occupational groups. More than 70% of 13 broad occupations had a Kappa of 50.0 or greater, with variable concordance by subpopulation. Among 206 occupational groups, there was more variability: Kappa ranged from 92.7 (dentists) to 9.2 (farm managers). Conclusions: Moderate-to-high levels of agreement was observed in this large, representative sample of US workers. Therefore, current occupation can be used as a surrogate for longest-held job for many occupational subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which examined cancer incidence of licensed pesticide applicators in Florida by using a standardized incidence ratio analysis method. Materials and methods; Results of the study; Discussion.

Health care workers are exposed to various infectious agents that can lead to disease transmission during patient care. Emergency first-responders, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are a subgroup of health care workers particularly at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended universal precautions to prevent occupational transmission of bloodborne pathogens among health care workers. This cross-sectional study evaluates risks and behaviors for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens among urban paramedics and EMTs in Dade County, Florida. Reported exposure via multiple routes was common, especially among paramedics. Knowledge of universal precautions was high, but reported practices were suboptimal because of inadequate information, as well as logistical and access issues. Additional research, administrative effort, and regulation are needed to increase the application of universal precautions in the prehospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the cancer risk associated with firefighting., Methods: Standardized incidence ratio analysis (SIR) was used to determine the relative cancer risk for firefighters as compared with the Florida general population., Results: Among 34,796 male (413,022 person-years) and 2,017 female (18,843 person-years) firefighters, 970 male and 52 female cases of cancer were identified. Male firefighters had significantly increased incidence rates of bladder (SIR = 1.29; 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.62), testicular (1.60; 1.20-2.09), and thyroid cancers (1.77; 1.08-2.73). Female firefighters had significantly increased incidence rates of overall cancer (1.63; 1.22-2.14), cervical (5.24; 2.93-8.65), and thyroid cancer (3.97; 1.45-8.65) and Hodgkin disease (6.25; 1.26-18.26)., Conclusions: Firefighting may be associated with an increased risk of selected site-specific cancers in males and females, including an overall increased cancer risk in female firefighters.

Background: Trauma surgeons are faced with life-threatening blood loss in patients such as Jehovah's Witnesses. We assessed and compared the risks of death after major trauma for Jehovah's Witnesses and other religious groups., Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between August 1992 and September 1999 in a Level I academic trauma center. Statistical methods included Tukey's one-way analysis of variance, chi2 analysis, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses., Results: The cohort consisted of 556 patients: 82 Jehovah's Witnesses (14.7%), 52 Baptists (9.4%), 101 Catholics (18.2%), and 321 patients belonging to other religious groups (57.7%). Mean Injury Severity Scores for 433 patients were 10.3 +/- 9, 8.9 +/- 10, 10.3 +/- 11, and 11.3 +/- 14, respectively. There were no significant differences in mean Injury Severity Scores between religious groups, and no statistically significant associations between religion and Injury Severity Scores were identified. Significant predictors of mortality were age, systolic blood pressure at admission, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and type of trauma. Jehovah's Witnesses were 6% more likely to die after major trauma than Baptists, 20% more likely than Catholics, and as likely as patients from any other religious groups., Conclusion: After controlling for age, race, systolic blood pressure, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and type of trauma, Jehovah's Witnesses have a nonsignificant increased risk of death after major trauma compared with other religious groups.