Ethnic disparities in traumatic occupational injury

Objective: Workers of different ethnicities differ in patterns of employment and occupational risks. We use the Illinois Trauma Registry to evaluate ethnic disparities among the occupational traumatic injuries occurring in the State of Illinois between 199 7 and 2003. Methods: We analyze incidence, severity, cause and place of injury disability and in-hospital mortality. Results: The incidence rates Of traumatic injuries among Hispanics were more than two times higher than whites, however, the risk of severe injury (Injury Severity Score >= 16) was more than 50% lower. Among African-American workers, the incidence and seventy of traumatic injuries were lower than whites. Machinery was the primary external cause of injury among Hispanics. blacks were disproportionately injured in road accidents and homicides/assaults. Conclusion: There are substantial racial/ethnic differences in incidence, severity and outcome of work-related traumatic injuries treated in level I and II trauma centers in Illinois.