title: Occupational lung disease in the South African mining industry: research and policy implementation.
abstract: South African miners face an epidemic of occupational lung diseases. Despite a plethora of research on the mining industry, and the gold mining industry in particular, research impact (including disease surveillance) on policy implementation and occupational health systems performance lags. We describe the gold mining environment, and research on silicosis, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, and compensation for occupational disease including initiatives to influence policy and thus reduce dust levels and disease. As these have been largely unsuccessful, we identify possible impediments, some common to other low- and middle-income countries, to the translation of research findings and policy initiatives into effective interventions.
authors: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, PO Box 4788, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. jill.murray@nioh.nhls.ac.za
authors: Jill
authors: J
authors: Murray
authors: Tony
authors: T
authors: Davies
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Rees
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D006046:Gold; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008906:Mining; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012106:Research; D012829:Silicosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006046:Gold