At a glance
State-based surveillance forms a critical part of the overall NIOSH program of occupational respiratory disease surveillance. State-based surveillance programs assist NIOSH in understanding occupational respiratory disease and linking surveillance to practice at the state and local level.
Silicosis and work-related asthma
State-based surveillance data on silicosis and work-related asthma (WRA) contribute to NIOSH epidemiological research. These data are also used to support prevention activities and have been used to inform science-based policy. Previously, NIOSH supported states under different cooperative agreements, including SENSOR.
Currently, NIOSH funds the State-Based Occupational Safety and Health Surveillance cooperative agreement (Announcement No. PAR-20-312). All states funded under this agreement conduct population-based surveillance for pneumoconiosis (hospitalizations and mortality) and WRA.
Some states are also funded to carry out case-based or “expanded” sentinel surveillance focused on occupational respiratory diseases such as silicosis and WRA.