Occupational Patterns in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2007–2012
- Certain occupations have a higher burden of drug overdose mortality, with construction occupations facing the highest burden for both opioid-related and heroin-related overdose mortality. This data helps to characterize which jobs may be most at risk for drug and opioid-related overdose deaths.
- What an individual does for work has a significant influence on their lives outside of work as well as their physical and psychological well-being.
- This study is a first step in understanding what role work plays in the opioid epidemic and provides the groundwork for future research to evaluate the role of work. Additional research is warranted to illustrate how workplace interventions may help in addressing this public health emergency.
“This study helps broaden our understanding of how our jobs can and do have an effect on our health and well-being outside of work, including the potential for increased risk of drug and opioid-related mortality. We hope to expand on this work to learn more about how work may be influencing this risk and how this information might be used to help workers and employers.”
–Laurel Harduar Morano, PhD, MPH, EIS Class of 2017
[PNG - 363 KB]NIOSH’s Laurel Harduar Morano, PhD, MPH, EIS Class of 2017
CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
media@cdc.gov
Laurel Harduar Morano, PhD, MPH, EIS Class of 2017
CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Division of Surveillance
Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
Education: PhD: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2016; MPH: Boston University, 2004; BS: University of Alaska, Fairbanks, 2002
Work Experience: Data Consultant, Florida Department of Health, Division of Disease Control, Tallahassee, FL, 2009-Present; Social/Clinical Research Specialist, Carolina Center for Health Informatics, Chapel Hill, NC, 2015-Present; Consultant, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Harrisburg, PA, 2016- 2016; Teaching Assistant, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 2013- 2012