O6
OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASE AND SOCIAL DEPRIVATION IN THE UK: DATA FROM THE SWORD SCHEME
- E Wiggans, M. Johnson, K. Fyall, S. Goodall, D. Fishwick, M. Carder, G. McHale, L. Byrne, M. Gittins, M. J. Van Tongeren, Centre for Occupation and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, UK
Background
Exposures contribute to the burden of many respiratory diseases and are preventable through exposure reduction. Occupational exposures reflect and reinforce social gradients of health.
Aims
We examined relationships between social deprivation and disease using the surveillance of work and occupationally-related disease (SWORD) scheme.
Methods
All cases reported to SWORD between 1995-2024 were included and reported by year and by diagnosis. Decile of Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) was applied to each case by mapping postcode data to Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA), using IMD 2019.
Results
During the period 19814 cases were reported to SWORD. A minority were female (n=2264, 11%). Average age was 60.8 years (95% CI 60.6 – 61.0). Diagnoses included non-malignant pleural disease (38%), asthma (22%), mesothelioma (17%), pneumoconiosis (9%), and other (5%). Valid postcode data was available for 17222 cases. There was a gradient of cases across IMD deciles, with more cases of occupational lung disease (OLD) more common in lower IMD deciles. Two-thirds of cases were reported in IMD deciles 1-5.
Implications for policy or practice
OLD is more common in higher levels of deprivation. This is likely a reflection of occupational and social factors encountered by those living in poverty. Research should focus on understand the mechanisms by which such diseases occur and target interventions in areas of deprivation to reduce the burden of respiratory disease.
