Adding industry and occupation questions to the behavioral risk factor surveillance system: new opportunities in public health surveillance.
OBJECTIVE
Industry and occupation variables are overlooked in many public health surveillance efforts, yet they are useful for describing the burden and distribution of various public health diseases, behaviors, and conditions. This study is the first ever analysis of the Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to describe chronic conditions and risk behaviors by occupation. It is intended to provide a new perspective on this existing data source and demonstrate the value of occupation as a core demographic variable for public health research, policy, and practice.


METHODS
Two standardized employment questions were included in the 2012 Colorado BRFSS survey and administered to eligible survey respondents who were employed, self-employed, or out of work for less than one year. Occupation data were coded using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System. We analyzed health behaviors and conditions by major occupation groups. We calculated prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).


RESULTS
The prevalence of chronic conditions, health statuses, and risk behaviors (e.g., smoking and seatbelt use) varied significantly by occupation. For example, compared with all workers (93.6%, 95% CI 92.7, 94.5), significantly fewer workers in farming, forestry, fishing and construction, extraction jobs (87.0%, 95% CI 82.0, 92.0) reported always or nearly always wearing a seatbelt while driving. Additionally, significantly more office and administrative support workers (27.5%, 95% CI 22.5, 32.4) compared with all workers (20.6%, 95% CI 19.3, 22.0) were obese. Further observation and research is needed to understand the effects of occupation on health outcomes and behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
There are no other Colorado state-level datasets that link health behaviors and chronic conditions with occupation. This study shows that the prevalence of chronic conditions and risk behaviors varies substantially by occupation. Other states conducting the BRFSS may choose to adopt the NIOSH industry and occupation module and add other questions to further investigate health issues by occupation.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Environmental Epidemiology, Occupational Health and Toxicology Branch, Denver, CO.
Meredith
M
Towle
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Environmental Epidemiology, Occupational Health and Toxicology Branch, Denver, CO.
Rickey
R
Tolliver
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Environmental Epidemiology, Occupational Health and Toxicology Branch, Denver, CO.
Alison Grace
AG
Bui
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Environmental Epidemiology, Occupational Health and Toxicology Branch, Denver, CO.
Amy
A
Warner
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Environmental Epidemiology, Occupational Health and Toxicology Branch, Denver, CO.
Mike
M
Van Dyke
D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D066264:Datasets as Topic; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012309:Risk-Taking