Open AccessSensory Impairment Among Older US Workers
Author(s) -
Evelyn P. Davila,
Alberto J. CabanMartinez,
Peter Muennig,
Dong Hoon Lee,
Lora E. Fleming,
Kenneth F. Ferraro,
William G. LeBlanc,
Byron L. Lam,
Kristopher L. Arheart,
Kathryn E. McCollister,
D. Diane Zheng,
Sharon L. Christ
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2008.141630
Subject(s) - visual impairment , medicine , sensory system , motor impairment , national health interview survey , occupational safety and health , gerontology , audiology , environmental health , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychology , psychiatry , population , pathology , cognitive psychology
We used 1997-2004 National Health Interview Survey data to evaluate the prevalence of sensory impairment among US workers 65 years and older. Hearing impairment prevalence was 3 times that of visual impairment (33.4% vs 10.2%), and 38% of older workers reported experiencing either impairment. Farm operators, mechanics, and motor vehicle operators had the highest prevalence of sensory impairment. Workplace screening and accommodations, including sensory protection devices for older workers, are warranted given the greater risk for injuries among the sensory impaired.