Surveillance of work-related asthma in new york state.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this paper is to determine the percent of adults with asthma attributable to work and describe characteristics of the work-related asthma population in New York State. Sociodemographic and control characteristics of those with and without work-related asthma are compared.


METHODS
Data from three population-based surveys and one case-based surveillance system were analyzed. Work-relatedness of asthma was determined by self-report for the population-based surveys and by physician report for the case-based system. Self-reported sociodemographic and control characteristics were analyzed for the population-based surveys by work-relatedness.


RESULTS
The percent of work-relatedness among adults with current asthma in New York State ranged from 10.6% to 44.5%. Significantly more adults with work-related asthma had poorly controlled asthma than those without work-related asthma. More adults with work-related asthma also tended to be employed in the manufacturing, educational services, and public administration industries than the general population. The most frequently reported exposure was dust.


CONCLUSIONS
Adults with work-related asthma have decreased control and adverse socioeconomic impacts compared to those with asthma that is not work-related. Increased recognition and physician reporting is necessary to further prevent the impact of work-related exposures.
Tice
Cori J
CJ
New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Occupational Health, Troy, New York 12180, USA. cxt04@health.state.ny.us
Cummings
Karen R
KR
Gelberg
Kitty H
KH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence