Sensory impairment among older US workers.
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.
Davila
Evelyn P
EP
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Caban-Martinez
Alberto J
AJ
Muennig
Peter
P
Lee
David J
DJ
Fleming
Lora E
LE
Ferraro
Kenneth F
KF
LeBlanc
William G
WG
Lam
Byron L
BL
Arheart
Kristopher L
KL
McCollister
Kathryn E
KE
Zheng
Diane
D
Christ
Sharon L
SL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology