OCCUPATION AND ALCOHOL-RELATED CAUSES OF DEATH

The purpose of the present investigation is to determine if various alcohol-related causes of death are associated with similar occupational groups. The California Occupational Mortality Study data set (1979-1981) provided information on primary occupation and deaths from cirrhosis, digestive cancers, injury, suicide and homicide. Age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals. Findings indicate that farming/forestry/fishing personnel and handlers/equipment cleaners/helpers/labourers seem to be at risk of dying from alcohol-related causes. Due to the various methodological issues discussed, these findings need to be interpreted with caution.