Zhou H, Zhou Y, Zhang H, Yu A, Zhu B, Zhang L. Socio-economic disparity in the global burden of occupational noise-induced hearing loss: an analysis for 2017 and the trend since 1990.
Occup Environ Med 2020;
78:125-128. [PMID:
32839184 DOI:
10.1136/oemed-2020-106556]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate socio-economic disparity in the global burden of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs).
METHODS
The numbers of DALYs due to ONIHL, age-standardised DALY rates and national human development index (HDI) data from 1990 to 2017 were collected. The relationship between the age-standardised DALY rates and the 2017 HDI was analysed. A concentration index (CI) and a relative index of inequality (RII) were calculated to evaluate the trend in socio-economic disparity in the burden of ONIHL for the period 1990-2017.
RESULTS
From 1990 to 2017, the global DALYs due to ONIHL increased from 3.3 to 6.0 million, with the highest growth occurring in low-income countries (110.7%). Age-standardised DALY rates due to ONIHL were negatively associated with the HDI (β = -0.733, p<0.001), and these rates were significantly higher in countries with a lower HDI. From 1990 to 2017, the trend in between-country inequality was flat with little fluctuation, the CIs stayed near -0.17, and the RIIs remained near 0.35.
CONCLUSIONS
Over the past few decades, low-income countries have experienced the most rapid growth in DALYs worldwide. A widening socio-economic disparity has persisted in the global burden of ONIHL, with a higher burden in lower socio-economic countries. These data suggest that more prevention programmes and healthcare services should be provided for developing countries.
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