title: Is there an association of circulatory hospitalizations independent of mining employment in coal-mining and non-coal-mining counties in west virginia?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Exposures associated with coal mining activities, including diesel fuel exhaust, products used in coal processing, and heavy metals and other forms of particulate matter, may impact the health of nearby residents. We investigated the relationships between county-level circulatory hospitalization rates (CHRs) in coal and non-coal-mining communities of West Virginia, coal production, coal employment, and sociodemographic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Direct age-adjusted CHRs were calculated using West Virginia hospitalizations from 2005 to 2009. Spatial regressions were conducted to explore associations between CHR and total, underground, and surface coal production.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment, neither total, nor surface, nor underground coal production was significantly related to rate of hospitalization for circulatory disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings underscore the significant role sociodemographic and behavioral factors play in the health and well-being of coal mining communities.
authors: From the Department of Epidemiology (Dr Talbott), Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences (Dr Sharma), Department of Biostatistics (Dr Buchanich), and Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (Ms Stacy), Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pa.
authors: Evelyn O
authors: EO
authors: Talbott
authors: Ravi K
authors: RK
authors: Sharma
authors: Jeanine
authors: J
authors: Buchanich
authors: Shaina L
authors: SL
authors: Stacy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003032:Coal Mining; D004651:Employment; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D014903:West Virginia; D055815:Young Adult