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Am J Public Health. 2000 April; 90(4): 541–545.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.90.4.541
PMCID: PMC1446189
PMID: 10754967

Work-related death: a continuing epidemic.

R Herbert and P J Landrigan
Author information Copyright and License information PMC Disclaimer

Abstract

Worldwide, work-related illnesses and injuries kill approximately 1.1 million people per year. In 1992, an estimated 65,000 people in the United States died of occupational injuries or illness. Most estimates indicate that occupational diseases account for far more fatalities than occupational injuries. However, an accurate enumeration of occupational disease fatalities is hampered by a paucity of data, owing to underdiagnosis of occupational diseases and inadequacy of current surveillance systems. In this commentary, the authors review the epidemiology of death due to occupational disease and injury in the United States and discuss vulnerable populations, emerging trends, and prevention strategies for this ongoing public health problem.

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Selected References

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