title: Prevalence of asthma by industry in the US population: a study of 2001 NHIS data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The estimated number of US workers potentially exposed to asthmagens ranges from 8 to 20 million. This study was undertaken to estimate the US prevalence of asthma in adults by industry of employment and to identify industries with elevated risk of asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence analysis was performed on 20,991 adults, 18 years of age and older who participated in the 2001 National Health Interview survey. We used SUDAAN software to estimate the prevalence of self-reported physician diagnosed asthma by industry, and odds ratios (ORs) for asthma and industry adjusted for age, sex, race, and smoking status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of physician diagnosed asthma was 6.5% (95% CI 6.1-6.9); 4.7% (95% CI 4.1-5.3) for males and 8.5% (95% CI 7.9-9.1) for females. In whites, the prevalence and ORs were significantly elevated for printing, publishing, and allied industries (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-5.0) and health care (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.7). In blacks, ORs were elevated for furniture, lumber, and wood (OR = 5.9, 95% CI 1.4-25.4) and entertainment and recreation industries (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 1.1-15.9). Other industries with elevated ORs included automobile dealers and gasoline station; durable goods; elementary, secondary schools, and colleges; other personal services; eating and drinking places; entertainment and recreation services; and utility and sanitary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Industries with elevated prevalence of asthma are identified. This information helps to target workplaces where detailed investigations for prevention and control may be appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA. KMB2@CDC.GOV
authors.forename: Ki Moon
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hnizdo
authors.forename: Brent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Doney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational