Is there an association of circulatory hospitalizations independent of mining employment in coal-mining and non-coal-mining counties in west virginia?

OBJECTIVE: Exposures associated with coal mining activities, including diesel fuel exhaust, products used in coal processing, and heavy metals and other forms of particulate matter, may impact the health of nearby residents. We investigated the relationships between county-level circulatory hospitalization rates (CHRs) in coal and non-coal-mining communities of West Virginia, coal production, coal employment, and sociodemographic factors. METHODS: Direct age-adjusted CHRs were calculated using West Virginia hospitalizations from 2005 to 2009. Spatial regressions were conducted to explore associations between CHR and total, underground, and surface coal production. RESULTS: After adjustment, neither total, nor surface, nor underground coal production was significantly related to rate of hospitalization for circulatory disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the significant role sociodemographic and behavioral factors play in the health and well-being of coal mining communities.

General mortality patterns in appalachian coal-mining and non-coal-mining counties.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether mortality disparities in Appalachia are due to coal mining or other factors. METHODS: Unadjusted and covariate adjusted rate ratio models calculated total, all external, and all cancer mortality rates from 1960 to 2009 for cumulative total, surface, and underground coal production in coal-mining counties compared with non-coal-mining counties. RESULTS: No coal-related statistically significant elevations in total or all external mortality were found. Control for covariates attenuated rate ratios for all levels of coal mining. All forms of coal were statistically significant in the adjusted rate ratio models for all cancer mortality, with 4% to 6% excesses in the highest quartiles of production. CONCLUSIONS: Total and all external mortalities do not seem to be related to coal production in Appalachia, but all cancer mortality should be further examined. Additional causes of death should also be considered.

The association of respiratory hospitalization rates in WV counties, total, underground, and surface coal production and sociodemographic covariates.

BACKGROUND: Exposures associated with coal mining have long been linked to occupational disease. More recently, investigators have suggested that this industry may affect community health. METHODS: We explored associations between age-adjusted, county-level respiratory disease hospitalization rates (RHRs) in West Virginia and total, surface, and underground coal production, taking into account relevant sociodemographic and behavioral covariates. RHRs were calculated for 2005 to 2009, and analyses were performed to assess the effect of coal production after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: After controlling for percent below poverty, percent urban, and smoking, neither total nor underground tonnage was associated with RHR. Surface coal production, however, was significantly related with RHR (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Surface coal production makes a small but significant contribution to RHR in West Virginia after accounting for other important sociodemographic and behavioral determinants of health.