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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Kristina Zierold, PhD, MS, Family and Community Medicine/Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, 336-716-2129, kzierold@wfubmc.edu and Henry Anderson, MD, Department of Environmental Health, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, 1 West Wilson Street, Room 150, Madison, WI 27157.

Work-related injury among teen workers is approximately twice that of adult workers. Researchers have speculated that the racial and ethnic differences in adult occupational injury exist because minority workers tend to be employed in more hazardous occupations. While numerous studies have documented work-related injuries in teens, the majority lack evaluation of the roles of race/ethnicity in occupations, job characteristics, and injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in work-related injuries and job characteristics among white and minority teens. In May 2003, an anonymous questionnaire was administered to teens throughout the five public health regions of Wisconsin. Of the 3,574 teens that worked during the school year, 71% were white, 9% African-American, and 6% Hispanic. The distribution of occupations among teens by race/ethnicity was similar; the majority worked in restaurants and fast food establishments. A large disparity in the prevalence of injury was found. Minority teens were significantly more likely to report being injured compared with white teens (AOR=2.20, 95% CI=1.64-2.95 for African-Americans, AOR=1.93, 95% CI=1.36-2.74 for Hispanics). Additionally, minority teens were significantly more likely to report sustaining a severe injury compared to white teens (AOR=3.51, 95% CI=2.24-5.49 for African Americans; AOR=2.59 95%CI=1.47-4.54 for Hispanics). This study is the first to document the differences in work-related injuries among minority teen workers. The findings of this study indicate that minority teens are more likely to experience work-related injures and more severe injuries compared with white teens, even though they are employed in the same types of industry.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the differences in work-related injuries among white, African-American, and Hispanic teenagers.
• Describe the work characteristics that place minority teens at greater risk for workplace injury.

Keywords: Youth at Work, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No