Occupational health refers to worker health. In public health, occupational health programs identify risks of illness or injury at work and make recommendations to manage them. The goal is to create and keep safe and healthy places to work. The Missouri Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Program provides data on occupational health in Missouri.
Health Risks at Work
Each year, workers get hurt or sick because of dangers at work. These dangers can be physical or mental. They can cause serious illnesses or injuries, like breathing problems, broken bones, burns, hearing loss, heart problems, muscle injuries, stress, diseases that spread from person to person, or cancer. Physical dangers can include environmental exposures, like exposure to metals or chemicals. For example, workers can be exposed to lead at battery manufacturing plants, lead mines or smelters, shooting ranges, or other places where lead is used.
Health Data
DHSS and the Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Program provide data on diseases, health conditions, and injuries among adults. You can search the data by age, sex, race, and ethnicity. These data do not provide information on cause or source of exposure.
Missouri EPHT - Blood Lead Data Query
Search this query to find:
Annual number of blood lead tests among adults
Annual number high blood lead test results among adults
Annual percent of adult population tested
Annual percent of tested adult population with high blood lead test results
Missouri Information for Community Assessment (MICA) – Cancer Incidence
Search this query to find:
Annual number of adults diagnosed with mesothelioma
Annual crude rate and age-adjusted rates of mesothelioma among adults
Other Data Sources
Other data sources share additional occupational health data.
CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – Worker Health Charts
Use this tool to find:
Number and rate of worker illnesses and injuries
Number and rate of days away from work due to illness and injury
Number and rate of fatal injuries among workers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities
Use this tool to find:
Annual number and rate of worker illnesses and injuries by industry
Annual number and rate of fatal injuries among workers
Data Use
Occupational health data can help you:
- Follow trends in illnesses and injuries caused while at work
- Identify workplace dangers and plan ways to manage them
Additional Resources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Employment Information
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Unemployment Information
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- NIOSH eNews
- NIOSH State Based Occupational Health Surveillance Clearinghouse
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Heat
- CDC WISQARS - injury data and visualization tools
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Asbestos
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Pesticides