Disparities in occupational injury hospitalization rates in five states (2003-2009).
BACKGROUND
Achievement of health equity and elimination of disparities are overarching goals of Healthy People 2020, yet there is a paucity of population-based data regarding race/ethnicity-based disparities in occupational injuries.


METHODS
Hospital discharge data for five states (Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York) were obtained from the Healthcare Cost & Utilization Project (HCUP) for 2003-2009. Age-adjusted rates and trends for work-related injury hospitalizations were calculated using negative binomial regression (reference category: non-Latino white).


RESULTS
Latinos were significantly more likely to have a work-related traumatic injury hospitalization. The disparity for Latinos was greatest for machinery-related hospitalizations. Latinos were also more likely to have a fall-related hospitalization. African-Americans were more likely to have an occupational assault-related hospitalization, but less likely to have a fall-related hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
We found evidence of substantial multistate disparities in occupational injury-related hospitalizations. Enhanced surveillance and further research are needed to identify and address underlying causes.
Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington [Institution where the work was performed], Seattle, Washington.
Jeanne M
JM
Sears
Stephen M
SM
Bowman
Sheilah
S
Hogg-Johnson
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D055815:Young Adult
Hispanic; Latino; disparities; ethnicity; hospital discharge data; injury severity; injury surveillance; occupational injuries; traumatic injuries