Occupational Patterns in Suicide, Drug Poisoning and Alcohol-Related Disease Mortality — The Association Specialists
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Occupational Patterns in Suicide, Drug Poisoning and Alcohol-Related Disease Mortality (23821)

Tania King 1 , Humaira Maheen 2
  1. Social Equity Research Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, AU
  2. University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VICTORIA, Australia

Background: An increase in deaths due to suicide, drug poisoning and alcohol-related disease (SDAM) has been observed in many parts of the world, with working age adults disproportionately affected. Understanding occupational patterns is essential for identifying high-risk worker groups and informing workplace-based prevention strategies. This analysis aimed to examine occupational patterns and trends in SDAM among Australian workers.

Methods: National Coronial Information System data was used to identify employed decedents aged 18-64 across 21 years (2001-2022). Deaths were classified as suicide (ICD-10 X60-X84), chronic alcohol-related disease (K70, K73-K74, I42.6, K86.0), or drug poisoning (X40-X44, Y10-Y14, F11-F19). Occupations were systematically coded using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). We calculated age-standardised mortality rates by occupation and sex. Age-standardized mortality rates were calculated by occupation and sex. Joinpoint regression assessed temporal trends.

Results: Construction workers highest age-standardised mortality rate for these deaths combined (91.8 per 100,000; Incidence rate ratio (IRR) 5.8 95%CI 5.0-6.7), followed by Labourers (44.8 per 100,000, IRR 2.4, 95%CI 2.1-2.7), Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers  (41.1 per 100,000, IRR 2.1, 95%CI 1.8-2.5) and Machinery and Stationary Plant Operators (40.1 per 100,000, IRR 2.1, 95%CI 1.8-2.4). Temporal analysis from 2001-2022 revealed increasing SDAM among Machine and Stationary Plant Operators (Annual Average Percentage Change (AAPC), 2.50, 1.24-3.92), Technicians and Tradesworkers (AAPC), 1.39, 95%CI 0.74-2.09), and Labourers (AAPC 2.13, 95%CI 1.11-3.31).

 

Conclusions: SDAM trends in Australia show clear occupational patterning, with elevated burden concentrated in manual labour occupations. These high-risk occupations share multiple physical and psychosocial exposures, suggesting that occupational and employment conditions may contribute to population-level mortality patterns. Results highlight the potential population health gains in addressing psychosocial and physical stressors to improve working conditions for all workers, including high-risk groups.