Subtance use and type and severity of injury among hospitalized trauma cases: Ohio, 2004-2007.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether persons who were injured severely enough to require hospitalization suffered more severe injury when substance use was involved. This was accomplished by evaluating four proxy outcome measures with Ohio Trauma Registry data from January 2004 through December 2007.

Method: Four injury outcomes were identified: injury severity score, admission to an intensive care unit, presence of at least one medical complication, and hospital length of stay.

Highway repair: a new silicosis threat.

Objectives: We describe an emerging public health concern regarding silicosis in the fast-growing highway repair industry.

Methods: We examined highway construction trends, silicosis surveillance case data, and environmental exposure data to evaluate the risk of silicosis among highway repair workers. We reviewed silicosis case data from the construction industry in 3 states that have silicosis registries, and we conducted environmental monitoring for silica at highway repair work sites.

Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance--United States, 1998-2001.

Problem/condition: Elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in adults can damage the cardiovascular, central nervous, reproductive, hematologic, and renal systems. The majority of cases are workplace-related. U.