The Relative Burden of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in Firefighters: An Analysis of Washington Workers' Compensation Claims, 2006-2020.

Firefighters face many hazards on the job and have a high rate of work-related injuries and illnesses (WRII). We analyzed Washington workers' compensation claims from 2006-2020 to characterize WRII in firefighters compared to law enforcement officers and "all other" workers. There were 9187 compensable claims for firefighters, 7801 for law enforcement officers, and 586,939 for "all other" workers.

Workers' Compensation Claims for Conditions Presumed to Be Occupational Diseases Among Firefighters in Washington State, 2000-2017.

Objective: Occupational disease presumption laws for firefighters are common, yet little is known about the workers' compensation claims filed for them.

Methods: We identified Washington State's workers' compensation claims for conditions covered by presumption among firefighters during 2000 to 2017, and described them by disease type and claim characteristics. Claim rates for specific cancers were compared with statewide incidence rates using the Washington State cancer registry.

Surveillance of work-related asthma including the emergence of a cannabis-associated case series in Washington State.

Objective: We conducted surveillance for work-related asthma (WRA) in Washington State to identify the industry sectors and asthma exposures most commonly affecting injured workers and in need of prevention activities.

Methods: Using workers' compensation data as the primary data source, valid cases were classified as work-aggravated asthma (WAA) or new onset asthma that includes occupational asthma (OA) and reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). The source of exposure that caused the worker's asthma, their industry and occupation were determined.

Severe Silicosis in Engineered Stone Fabrication Workers - California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington, 2017-2019.

Silicosis is an incurable occupational lung disease caused by inhaling particles of respirable crystalline silica. These particles trigger inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, leading to progressive, irreversible, and potentially disabling disease. Silica exposure is also associated with increased risk for lung infection (notably, tuberculosis), lung cancer, emphysema, autoimmune diseases, and kidney disease (1).

Work-related asthma surveillance in Washington State: time trends, industry rates, and workers' compensation costs, 2002-2016.

Washington State's work-related asthma (WRA) surveillance program utilizes workers' compensation (WC) data as its primary data source and has spanned a 15-year time period. This study analyses trends for WRA claim incidence rates compared to all WC claim incidence rates. WRA claim incidence rates and WC costs are analyzed by industry.

Lung transplant or bust: patients' recommendations for ideal lung transplant education.

Context: Effective lung transplant education helps ensure informed decision making by patients and better transplant outcomes.

Objective: To understand the educational needs and experiences of lung transplant patients.

Design: Mixed-method study employing focus groups and patient surveys.

State practitioner insights into local public health challenges and opportunities in obesity prevention: a qualitative study.

Introduction: The extent of obesity prevention activities conducted by local health departments (LHDs) varies widely. The purpose of this qualitative study was to characterize how state obesity prevention program directors perceived the role of LHDs in obesity prevention and factors that impact LHDs' success in obesity prevention.

Methods: From June 2011 through August 2011, we conducted 28 semistructured interviews with directors of federally funded obesity prevention programs at 22 state and regional health departments.