title: Distribution of asthma by occupation: Washington State behavioral risk factor surveillance system data, 2006-2009.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of asthma in workers by occupation in Washington State.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the 2006-2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the BRFSS Asthma Call-Back Survey (ACBS) in Washington State (WA) were analyzed. Using state-added and coded Industry and Occupation questions, we calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) for 19 occupational groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 41,935 respondents who were currently employed during 2006-2009, the prevalence of current asthma was 8.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.8-8.5%] When compared with the reference group of executive, administration and managerial occupations, three occupational groups had significantly (p < 0.05) higher PRs of current asthma: "Teachers, all levels, and Counselors' (PR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1. 6%); 'Administrative Support, including Clerical" (PR 1. 5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9%); and "Other Health Services" (PR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9). Half of the 2511 ACBS respondent workers (55.1%) indicated that they believed exposure at work had caused or worsened their asthma, but only 10.7% had ever spoken with a health care professional about their asthma being work related.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some occupations have a higher prevalence of current asthma than other occupations. The systematic collection of industry and occupation data can help identify worker populations with a high burden of asthma and can be used to target disease prevention efforts as well as to aid clinician recognition and treatment. Workers indicated that work-related asthma exposures are not discussed with their health care provider and this communication gap has implications for asthma management.
authors.affiliation: Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries , Olympia, Washington , USA.
authors.forename: Naomi J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Zihong Joyce
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reeb-Whitaker
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bonauto
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rauser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: BRFSS; industry; lung disease; occupational asthma; occupational health; prevalence; work related