Occupational heat-related illness emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations in the southeast region, 2007-2011

L. Harduar Morano, T. L. Bunn, M. Lackovic, A. Lavender, G. T.T. Dang, J. J. Chalmers, Y. Li, L. Zhang, D. D. Flammia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Heat-related illness (HRI) is an occupational health risk for many outdoor, and some indoor, workers. Methods: Emergency department (ED) and inpatient hospitalization (IH) data for 2007-2011 from nine southeast states were analyzed to identify occupational HRI numbers and rates, demographic characteristics, and co-morbid conditions. Results: There were 8,315 occupational HRI ED visits (6.5/100,000 workers) and 1,051 IHs (0.61/100,000) in the southeast over the study period. Out-of-state residents comprised 8% of ED visits and 12% of IHs. Rates for both, ED visits and IHs were significantly elevated in males and blacks. Younger workers had elevated rates for ED visits, while older workers had higher IH rates. Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate occupational HRI ED visits and IHs in the southeast region and indicates the need for enhanced heat-stress prevention policies in the southeast. Findings from this study can be used to direct state health department tracking and evaluation of occupational HRI.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1114-1125
Number of pages12
JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume58
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords

  • Emergency department
  • Heat
  • Hospitalization
  • Occupational
  • Southeast

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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