A SPECIAL REPORT SERIES BY THE N.C. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, DIVISION OF
HEALTH SERVICES, STATE CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS, P.O. BOX 2091, RALEIGH, N.C 27602
No. 47
December, 1988
N.C. DOCUMENTS
OCCUPATIONAL MORTALITY AMONG CLEARINGHOUSE
NORTH CAROLINA MALES 1984-1986: FFR .
ш
A DEATH RATE ANALYSIS
by
Kathryn B. Surles
Paul W. C. Johnson
Paul A. Bueecher
Kenneth P. Kaufman
N.C. STATE LIBRARY
RALEIGH
The authors gratefully acknowledge the expert assistance of Dr. Michael J. Symons who is a
member of the faculty of the Department of Biostatisrics, School of Public Health, University of
North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
ABSTRACT
Following extensive investigation of the various methods of analysis, age-specific and age-adjusted
death rates and rate ratios were produced for the most detailed categories of occupation, industry,
and cause of death considered feasible for the size of the database. Results reveal patterns of high
mortality risk among male workers in lower status jobs as well as proprietors and supervisors in
sales. High risk was observed among workers in such industries as primary iron and steel,
automotive and repair services, logging, construction, eating and drinking places, and trucking. In
general, low risk was observed among executives, administrators, managers, and professionals and in
such industries as textile mill products except yarn/thread/fabric, wholesale trade, colleges and
universities, general merchandise stores, and health services except hospitals, among others.
This study’s findings are, in general, like those of other studies in terms of a clear socio-economic
mortality gradient. For most occupation and industry groups, the results are quite similar to those of
a recent California study which, like North Carolina, identified a pattern of high risk among
proprietors and supervisors in sales as well as workers in lower status jobs.
The study concludes with a list of seven recommendations for actions that would enhance the
study of occupational mortality in North Carolina.