Trends in silicosis prevalence and the healthy worker effect among gold miners in South Africa

Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease due to exposure to silica dust. This large study conducted in a population of working Southern African gold miners finds a flat or even declining trend in silicosis prevalence in contrast to autopsy data that shows a rising trend. This provides important evidence for large scale efforts underway on the subcontinent to combat tuberculosis and silicosis (two diseases closely associated). It is one of the few studies that examines empirically the ‘healthy worker effect’.

Dr David Knight