The essential aims of this study are to assess the separate and interactive effects of illness severity, job characteristics, psycho-social variables, and other factors on productivity, wage loss, and work disability among adults with asthma. Within this context, asthma stands out as being common and costly among adults at peak ages of labor force participation. The risk factors for adverse impacts of the factors promoting better occupational outcomes are not well delineated. In addition to illness severity, demographic, and psycho-social factors, the nature of working conditions (work exposures, physical demands, job structure) have an impact on work disability. This study therefore addresses a significant research gap identified in the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). A random sample of pulmonary and allergy internist specialist initially enrolled 601 persons with asthma identified in patient visit logs. This established panel has completed 45 minute baseline and follow-up computer-assisted telephone interviews. A supplemental sampling frame of persons with asthma identified from family practitioners is in progress (target baseline n=180). The interviews assess disease severity and other co-variables using established survey instruments; work factors are assessed both by interview and by linking to established job factor matrix schemes. The proposed study will carry out extended longitudinal follow-up study of this cohort. The analysis will test predictive models for productivity and wage loss and work disability among adults with asthma. It is anticipated that the proposed study will provide statistically powerful estimates of the occupational impacts of asthma among adults of working age and the factors which are associated with productivity, wage and work loss.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01OH003480-03
Application #
6131159
Study Section
Safety and Occupational Health Study Section (SOH)
Project Start
1997-09-30
Project End
2001-09-29
Budget Start
1999-09-30
Budget End
2000-09-29
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
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