Respiratory health of American Indian and Alaska Native coal miners participating in the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, 2014–2019

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noemi B. Hall ◽  
Maya J. Nye ◽  
David J. Blackley ◽  
A. Scott Laney ◽  
Jacek M. Mazurek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
American Indian ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Coal Workers

scholarly journals Radiographic features of importance in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-administered Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program: characterising the use of the ‘other symbols’

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e015876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara N Halldin ◽  
Janet M Hale ◽  
David J Blackley ◽  
A Scott Laney
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Radiographic Feature ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Radiographic Features ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Lung Abnormalities ◽  
Coal Workers

ObjectiveThe National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health-administered Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) provides radiographic pneumoconiosis screening for US coal miners. Radiographs are classified by readers according to International Labour Office criteria. In addition to pneumoconiotic parenchymal and pleural lung abnormalities, readers document radiographic features of importance (other symbols). Other symbols are not meant to imply a diagnosis or interpretation but are relevant as they provide information beyond a pneumoconiosis classification for features related to dust exposure and other aetiologies. Our objective was to summarise other symbol data from 48 years of CWHSP participants.MethodsChest radiograph classifications obtained from CWHSP participants between July 1968 and July 2016 were analysed. Any ‘other symbol’ indication from any of the readings were counted. Frequencies were tabulated by individual reader and those identified by any reader.ResultsOf the 469 922 radiographs included in this study, nearly 15% had at least one reader identify a radiographic feature of importance. The most commonly identified other symbol was cancer (excluding mesothelioma) (6.83%), followed by emphysema (1.68%). Some features were rarely identified over the 48 years of data collection such as rheumatoid pneumoconiosis (n=46), pneumothorax (n=32), mesothelioma (n=12) and rounded atelectasis (n=4).ConclusionsThis is the largest study to date describing radiographic features of importance as part of routine chest radiographic surveillance. While these symbols are not diagnostic they can be used to describe features associated with dust exposure. One of the most commonly identified radiographic features in our population is emphysema which is associated with respirable dust exposure. These results can be compared with other dust exposed populations.

scholarly journals Evaluation of high blood pressure and obesity among US coal miners participating in the Enhanced Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 541-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Lauren Casey ◽  
Kathleen B. Fedan ◽  
Nicole Edwards ◽  
David J. Blackley ◽  
Cara N. Halldin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Coal Workers

scholarly journals Continued increase in prevalence of r-type opacities among underground coal miners in the USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 479-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noemi B Hall ◽  
David J Blackley ◽  
Cara N Halldin ◽  
A Scott Laney
Keyword(s):  
Crystalline Silica ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Lung Pathology ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Binomial Regression ◽  
Central Appalachia ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis ◽  
Coal Workers ◽  
Prevalence Ratios

IntroductionRespirable crystalline silica exposure has been implicated in the resurgence of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) in the USA. A 2010 report found an increasing prevalence of r-type opacities, which are associated with silicosis lung pathology, on the radiographs of working underground coal miners in central Appalachia. This analysis updates that report by assessing the prevalence of r-type opacities during 2010–2018 compared with earlier decades.MethodsData from the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program were used to calculate the prevalence of r-type opacities on radiographs of working underground coal miners. The data were restricted to radiographs taken during 1 January 1980 to 15 September 2018. The presence of r-type opacities was defined as an r-type classification for either the primary or secondary shape/size of small opacities. Prevalence ratios for r-type opacities were calculated using log binomial regression.ResultsRadiograph classifications for 106 506 miners were included in analysis. For the USA overall, the prevalence of r-type opacities among miners with radiographs taken during 2010–2018 compared with 1980–1989 has increased (PR 2.4; 95% CI 1.9 to 3.0). For central Appalachia, the proportion of r-type opacities observed increased when comparing 1980–1989 to 2010–2018 (PR 6.0; 95% CI 4.6 to 7.9).ConclusionsThe prevalence of r-type opacities on the radiographs of Appalachian underground coal miners continues to increase, implicating exposure to crystalline silica in respirable coal mine dust. The current findings underscore the importance of monitoring and controlling exposure to silica in coal mines.

scholarly journals Prevalence of spirometry-defined airflow obstruction in never-smoking working US coal miners by pneumoconiosis status

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-267
Author(s):  
Laura Kurth ◽  
Anthony S Laney ◽  
David J Blackley ◽  
Cara N Halldin
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Coal Miners ◽  
Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis ◽  
Office System ◽  
Coal Workers

IntroductionThis study estimated the prevalence of spirometry-defined airflow obstruction and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) among never-smoking coal miners participating in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP).MethodsData were from working miners screened by a CWHSP mobile unit who had valid spirometry and chest radiography results. Spirometry-defined airflow obstruction was determined when the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity is less than the lower limit of normal. Chest radiographs were classified according to the International Labour Office system to identify pneumoconiosis, including the most severe form of pneumoconiosis, progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).ResultsPrevalence of airflow obstruction among never-smoking coal miners in this sample was 7.7% overall, 16.4% among miners with CWP and 32.3% among miners with PMF. Airflow obstruction was significantly associated with CWP and PMF.ConclusionsThere was a higher prevalence of airflow obstruction among never-smoking coal miners with pneumoconiosis compared with those without pneumoconiosis. These findings support prior research on airflow obstruction and smoking and show pneumoconiosis might present with an obstructive pattern regardless of smoking status.

scholarly journals Identifying Disparities in Health Outcomes and Mortality for American Indian and Alaska Native Populations Using Tribally Disaggregated Vital Statistics and Health Survey Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (S2) ◽  
pp. S126-S132
Author(s):  
Desi Small-Rodriguez ◽  
Randall Akee
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
American Indian ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
California Health Interview Survey ◽  
Death Certificates ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Enrollment Data ◽  
The Impact

Objectives. To determine the impact of disaggregated mortality and health surveillance data on the ability to identify health disparities for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) subpopulations. Methods. We conducted a systematic review of reporting categories for AI/AN decedents on official death certificates for all 50 US states. Using public data from the 2017–2018 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), we conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses to assess disparities in health conditions and outcomes for tribally enrolled and non‒tribally enrolled AI/AN persons compared with non-Hispanic Whites. Results. There was no standard for the collection of tribal enrollment data or AI/AN race on death certificates across all 50 states. There were stark differences in the incidence and prevalence of various health risk factors and chronic diseases for the tribally enrolled AI/AN subpopulation, non‒tribally enrolled AI/AN subpopulation, and non-Hispanic White comparison group. Conclusions. The collection of tribal enrollment data in vital statistics and health surveillance systems is necessary to identify and respond to health disparities among AI/AN subpopulations. These efforts must be conducted in partnership with tribal nations and consider Indigenous data sovereignty.

scholarly journals Strengthening the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. e71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E. Reynolds ◽  
Anita L. Wolfe ◽  
Kathleen A. Clark ◽  
David J. Blackley ◽  
Cara N. Halldin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Coal Workers

Speech-Language Assessment Considerations for American Indian and Alaska Native Children Who Are Dual Language Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (14) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Vining ◽  
Edgarita Long ◽  
Ella Inglebret ◽  
Megan Brendal
Keyword(s):  
American Indian ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Alaska Native ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Dual Language Learners ◽  
Native Communities

The overrepresentation of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children in special education, including children who are dual language learners (DLLs), is a major concern. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can play a critical role in reducing this overrepresentation. Using a holistic assessment process that is responsive to the communication patterns of home and community contexts provides a framework for distinguishing actual language disorders from differences associated with cultural and linguistic diversity. This article presents current trends in Native communities that may impact the speech-language assessment process, including a shift from indigenous languages to English and/or Native language revitalization efforts. It also provides a framework for guiding assessment in a manner that considers cultural and linguistic factors in speech-language assessment for AI/AN children who are DLLs.

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