Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-2 (of 2 Records) |
Query Trace: Fleischer NL[original query] |
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The epidemiology of falling-through-the-ice in Alaska, 1990-2010
Fleischer NL , Melstrom P , Yard E , Brubaker M , Thomas T . J Public Health (Oxf) 2014 36 (2) 235-42 BACKGROUND: Climate change has contributed to increasing temperatures, earlier snowmelts and thinning ice packs in the Arctic, where crossing frozen bodies of water is essential for transportation and subsistence living. In some Arctic communities, anecdotal reports indicate a growing belief that falling-through-the-ice (FTI) are increasing. The objective of this study was to describe the morbidity and mortality associated with unintentional FTIs in Alaska. METHODS: We searched newspaper reports to identify FTI events from 1990 to 2010. We also used data from a trauma registry, occupational health and law enforcement registries and vital statistics to supplement the newspaper reports. Morbidity and mortality rates were calculated for Alaska Native (AN) people and all Alaskans. RESULTS: During the 21-year period, we identified 307 events, affecting at least 449 people. Events ranged from no morbidity to fatalities of five people. More than half of the events involved transportation by snow machine. Mortality rates were markedly higher for AN people than that for all Alaskans. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a numeric estimate of the importance of FTI events in Alaska. FTIs may represent an adverse health outcome related to climate changes in the Arctic, and may be particularly critical for vulnerable populations such as AN people. |
Public health impact of heat-related illness among migrant farmworkers
Fleischer NL , Tiesman HM , Sumitani J , Mize T , Amarnath KK , Bayakly AR , Murphy MW . Am J Prev Med 2013 44 (3) 199-206 BACKGROUND: Migrant farmworkers are at risk for heat-related illness (HRI) at work. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine which risk factors could potentially reduce the prevalence of HRI symptoms among migrant farmworkers in Georgia. METHODS: Trained interviewers conducted in-person interviews of adults who attended the South Georgia Farmworker Health Project clinics in June 2011. The analysis was conducted in 2011-2012. Population intervention models were used to assess where the greatest potential impact could be made to reduce the prevalence of HRI symptoms. RESULTS: In total, 405 farmworkers participated. One third of participants had experienced three or more HRI symptoms in the preceding week. Migrant farmworkers faced barriers to preventing HRI at work, including lack of prevention training (77%) and no access to regular breaks (34%); shade (27%); or medical attention (26%). The models showed that the prevalence of three or more HRI symptoms (n=361, 34.3%) potentially could be reduced by increasing breaks in the shade (-9.2%); increasing access to medical attention (-7.3%); reducing soda intake (-6.7%); or increasing access to regular breaks (-6.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Migrant farmworkers experienced high levels of HRI symptoms and faced substantial barriers to preventing these symptoms. Although data are cross-sectional, results suggest that heat-related illness may be reduced through appropriate training of workers on HRI prevention, as well as regular breaks in shaded areas. |
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