Associations between disease and occupation: Hypotheses generated from the national mortality followback survey

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Abstract
This study uses the National Mortality Followback Survey of 1986 to identify the top five Sentinel Health Events Occupational [SHE(O)s], the five leading causes of death, and to ascertain the primary occupations and industries associated with these. We found that, as expected, cardiovascular diseases were four of the five leading causes of death overall. In addition, the SHE(O) responsible for most deaths was cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung, followed by renal failure, bladder cancer, myeloid leukemia, and liver cancer. We employed proportionate mortality ratios to analyze the relationship between industry and occupation and category of mortality. In brief, we validated findings by other researchers; for example, farmers were at lower risk of cancer of the trachea, bronchus, and lung, and workers in eating/ drinking places had excess risk of liver cancer. We also hypothesize other relationships, such as between motor vehicle dealers and bladder cancer.