Abstract

This study explores racial/ethnic inequalities in work-related injuries among U.S. construction workers. Data from the 2004–2017 National Health Interview Survey were used to estimate work-related injuries by race/ethnicity in construction. Disparities in demographic, socioeconomic, and injury status among construction workers were examined by race/ethnicity. Injury differences were also evaluated in multiple logistic regression analyses controlling for potential confounders. Compared to white, non-Hispanic workers, minority workers were more likely to have lower socioeconomic statuses (e.g., lower educational attainment, lack of health insurance coverage, and family income below the poverty level), which considerably increased the likelihood of work-related injuries. The odds of work-related injuries were 70% higher among racial/ethnic minorities than white, non-Hispanics in construction. Injuries were also more severe among minorities than white, non-Hispanic workers. Among workers with a work-related injury, nearly 85% of Hispanics reported missing at least one workday due to injury, 45.6% higher than the proportion of 57.9% for their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. After adjusting for major demographic and socioeconomic factors, the work-related injury difference between race/ethnicity was no longer statistically significant. However, the odds of work-related injury remained significantly higher among workers who were younger (35–54 years vs. ≥ 55 years: aOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3–3.6); male (aOR = 5.3, 95% CI: 2.9–9.8); not college-educated (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0–2.2); had a family income below the poverty threshold (aOR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.8); or held a blue-collar occupation (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2–3.4). These findings suggest that the injury differences between race/ethnicity were strongly associated with demographics and socioeconomic inequalities in these worker groups. The identified injury disparities should be reduced or eliminated, following the hierarchy of controls paradigm.

摘要

本研究探讨了美国建筑工人工伤中的种族/民族不平等。2004-2017 年全国健康访谈调查的数据用于按种族/民族估算建筑业中的工伤。按种族/民族对建筑工人在人口、社会经济和伤害状况方面的差异进行了检查。还在控制潜在混杂因素的多重逻辑回归分析中评估了损伤差异。与白人、非西班牙裔工人相比，少数族裔工人的社会经济地位更有可能较低（例如，教育程度较低、缺乏医疗保险、家庭收入低于贫困线），这大大增加了与工作相关的可能性受伤。建筑业中少数族裔/族裔的工伤几率比白人、非西班牙裔高 70%。少数族裔工人的受伤情况也比非西班牙裔白人工人更严重。在遭受工伤的工人中，近 85% 的拉美裔人表示因伤至少缺勤 1 个工作日，比非拉美裔白人工人的比例 57.9% 高出 45.6%。在调整主要人口和社会经济因素后，种族/民族之间的工伤差异不再具有统计显着性。然而，年轻工人发生工伤的几率仍然明显较高（35-54岁与≥55岁：aOR = 2.2，95% CI：1.3-3.6）；男性（aOR = 5.3，95% CI：2.9–9.8）；未受过大学教育（aOR = 1.5，95% CI：1.0–2.2）；家庭收入低于贫困线（aOR = 1.8，95% CI：1.2–2.8）；或从事蓝领职业（aOR = 2.0，95% CI：1.2–3.4）。这些发现表明，种族/民族之间的伤害差异与这些工人群体的人口统计和社会经济不平等密切相关。应按照控制范式的层次结构减少或消除已确定的伤害差异。