title: Examining occupational health and safety disparities using national data: a cause for continuing concern.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occupational status, a core component of socioeconomic status, plays a critical role in the well-being of U.S. workers. Identifying work-related disparities can help target prevention efforts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bureau of Labor Statistics workplace data were used to characterize high-risk occupations and examine relationships between demographic and work-related variables and fatality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Employment in high-injury/illness occupations was independently associated with being male, Black, ≤high school degree, foreign-birth, and low-wages. Adjusted fatal occupational injury rate ratios for 2005-2009 were elevated for males, older workers, and several industries and occupations. Agriculture/forestry/fishing and mining industries and transportation and materials moving occupations had the highest rate ratios. Homicide rate ratios were elevated for Black, American Indian/Alaska Native/Asian/Pacific Islanders, and foreign-born workers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the importance of understanding patterns of disparities of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. Results can improve intervention efforts by developing programs that better meet the needs of the increasingly diverse U.S. workforce.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Steege
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: Cammie Chaumont
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Menéndez
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D064450:Workplace Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CFOI; CPS; SOII; ethnicity; fatality; industry; injury; nativity; occupation; occupational health disparities; race