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Health Disparities in Occupational Exposures

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Health Disparities in Respiratory Medicine

Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

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Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to review the data on health disparities related to occupational respiratory exposures and illnesses. Respiratory occupational health disparities have occurred from the overrepresentation of minorities in hazardous industries and job titles with respiratory toxins. These work-related respiratory disparities have been identified by high profile events and research studies. There is no ongoing nationwide surveillance system that is tracking work-related health disparities. Given the typical long latency between onset of exposure and development of pneumoconiosis or lung cancer, some current racial differences in respiratory disease rates represent a legacy from past discriminatory hiring practice. The ongoing overrepresentation of minorities in certain occupations such as service occupations indicates the potential for occupational respiratory disparities to continue in the future. Changes are needed in current occupational surveillance systems, if we are to be able to assess the occurrence of current and future occupational respiratory health disparities.

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Acknowledgements

Grant sponsor: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Grant # U60 OH008466.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Kenneth D. Rosenman M.D.

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  1. Kenneth D. Rosenman M.D.
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Correspondence to Kenneth D. Rosenman M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Arizona Respiratory Center and Departmen, University of Arizona Arizona Respiratory Center and Departmen, TUCSON, Arizona, USA

    Lynn B. Gerald

  2. Arizona Respiratory Center and Departmen, University of Arizona Arizona Respiratory Center and Departmen, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Cristine E. Berry

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Rosenman, K.D. (2016). Health Disparities in Occupational Exposures. In: Gerald, L., Berry, C. (eds) Health Disparities in Respiratory Medicine. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23675-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23675-9_4

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-23674-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-23675-9

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