Number of deaths due to lung diseases: How large is the problem

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Environmental Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(05)80146-X· OSTI ID:5678707

Wagener, D K ^[1]

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1. National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, MD (United States)

The importance of lung disease as an indicator of environmentally induced adverse health effects has been recognized by inclusion among the Health Objectives for the Nation. The 1990 Health Objectives for the Nation (US Department of Health and Human Services, 1986) includes an objective that there should be virtually no new cases among newly exposed workers for four preventable occupational lung diseases-asbestosis, byssinosis, silicosis, and coal workers' pneumoconiosis. This brief communication describes two types of cause-of-death statistics- underlying and multiple cause-and demonstrates the differences between the two statistics using lung disease deaths among adult men. The choice of statistic has a large impact on estimated lung disease mortality rates. The choice of statistics also may have large effect on the estimated mortality rates due to other chromic diseases thought to be environmentally mediated. Issues of comorbidity and the way causes of death are reported become important in the interpretation of these statistics. The choice of which statistic to use when comparing data from a study population with national statistics may greatly affect the interpretations of the study findings.

• OSTI ID: 5678707
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Research; (United States) Vol. 52:1; ISSN ENVRA; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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