Occupational Respiratory Disease Surveillance

OCCUPATIONAL RESPIRATORY DISEASE SURVEILLANCE

State-Based Surveillance

State-based surveillance forms a critical part of the overall NIOSH program of occupational respiratory disease surveillance. State-based surveillance programs are in a unique position to assist DRDS and NIOSH in understanding occupational respiratory disease and linking surveillance to practice at the state and local level. State-based surveillance data on silicosis and work-related asthma (WRA), including that collected under the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR) Program, have contributed to NIOSH epidemiological research, have been used to support various prevention activities and products, and have been used to inform science-based policy. In conjunction with our state partners, the DRDS State-based Surveillance Program has produced over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles and more than 300 different pieces of educational material.

Previously, NIOSH supported states under a number of different cooperative agreements, including SENSOR. Currently, NIOSH funds the State-Based Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance cooperative agreement (Office of Extramural Programs (OEP), ANNOUNCEMENT NO. PAR-09-184). All states funded under this cooperative agreement conduct population-based surveillance for pneumoconiosis (hospitalizations and mortality). While most carry out "Fundamental" pneumoconiosis surveillance, some are also funded to carry out case-based or "Expanded" sentinel surveillance focused specifically on silicosis and/or work-related asthma (WRA).

State-Based Surveillance Programs
Work-Related Asthma (WRA) information from state programs.
Silicosis information from state programs.
- State Reporting Guidelines
- Surveillance Case Definition

Related NIOSH Resources

State-based Occupational Health Surveillance Clearinghouse
NIOSH has established surveillance programs to help describe the magnitude of occupational hazards, diseases, injuries and deaths in the U.S. These surveillance activities have often documented the Nation’s progress in reducing the burden of work-related diseases and injuries. This NIOSH clearinghouse provides access to State-based occupational health surveillance and related reports.

Surveillance of Work-Related Asthma in Selected U.S. States Using Surveillance Guidelines for State Health Departments-California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993-1999 (CDC/NIOSH)
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 1999;48(SS-3):1-20.
State laws addressing tobacco use, the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, are summarized. Laws address smoke-free indoor air, minors' access to tobacco products, advertising of tobacco products, and excise taxes on tobacco products. Erratum

Other Resources Related to State-Based Surveillance

Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Program of the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
NCEH leads CDC's fight against environmental-related respiratory illnesses, including asthma, and studies indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Assessment of Asthma in the Workplace
Chest 1995;108:1084-1117.
A consensus statement of the American College of Chest Physicians on the approach to assessment and management of asthma in the workplace, intended for pulmonologist, allergists, and specialists in occupational and environmental medicine.

Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC)
The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) is a network of more than 60 clinics committed to improving the practice of occupational and environmental medicine through information sharing and collaborative research.

Cleaning products and work related asthma (abstract)
J Occup Environ Med 2003 May;45(5):556-563.
State-based surveillance systems for work-related asthma in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey were used to identify cases of asthma associated with exposure to cleaning products at work.

Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE)
CTSE is a professional association of over 1,000 public health epidemiologists working in states, local health agencies, and territories. CSTE members have surveillance and epidemiology expertise in a broad range of areas, including Occupational Health. Pertinent Occupational Health publications are available.

A descriptive study of work-aggravated asthma
Occup Environ Med 2004 Jun;61(6):512-517.
A better understanding of work-aggravated asthma, as well as work-related new-onset asthma, is needed to aid in prevention efforts.

Occupational Health Indicators: A Guide for Tracking Occupational Health Conditions and Their Determinants
The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), in association with NIOSH, establishes a recommended set of indicators for occupational health surveillance which would, if collected at the state level, assist in the development of programs to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.

Work-Related Asthma
Am Fam Physician 2001 Dec;64(11):1839-1849.
Diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and reduction to exposure are all important steps taken by the physician of victims of work-aggravated asthma, occupational asthma, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, and allergic occupational asthma.