OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize occupational injury and illness cases identified through 3 different sources of data on a population of immigrant workers. METHODS: Participants were Cambodian and Lao workers living in Lowell, Mass. A household survey allowed comparisons between characteristics of work-related cases documented in workers' compensation wage replacement records and hospital records and characteristics of self-reported cases. RESULTS: The household survey captured types of cases missing from existing data, particularly illnesses self-reported to be associated with chemical exposures. Injuries and illnesses affecting the study population appeared to be significantly underrepresented in workers' compensation wage replacement data. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based methods can supplement available occupational health data sources.
OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize occupational injury and illness cases identified through 3 different sources of data on a population of immigrant workers. METHODS:Participants were Cambodian and Lao workers living in Lowell, Mass. A household survey allowed comparisons between characteristics of work-related cases documented in workers' compensation wage replacement records and hospital records and characteristics of self-reported cases. RESULTS: The household survey captured types of cases missing from existing data, particularly illnesses self-reported to be associated with chemical exposures. Injuries and illnesses affecting the study population appeared to be significantly underrepresented in workers' compensation wage replacement data. CONCLUSIONS: Community-based methods can supplement available occupational health data sources.
Authors: K D Rosenman; J C Gardiner; J Wang; J Biddle; A Hogan; M J Reilly; K Roberts; E Welch Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2000-01 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Sarah J Lowry; Hillary Blecker; Janice Camp; Butch De Castro; Steven Hecker; Saman Arbabi; Neal Traven; Noah S Seixas Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2010-02 Impact factor: 2.214