Socio-economic disparity in the global burden of occupational noise-induced hearing loss: an analysis for 2017 and the trend since 1990
Hongjie Zhou, Yu Zhou, Huina Zhang, Aiqing Yu, Bo Zhu, Lei Zhang
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate socio-economic disparity in the global burden of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). METHODS: The numbers of DALYs due to ONIHL, age-standardised DALY rates and national human development index (HDI) data from 1990 to 2017 were collected. The relationship between the age-standardised DALY rates and the 2017 HDI was analysed. A concentration index (CI) and a relative index of inequality (RII) were calculated to evaluate the trend in socio-economic disparity in the burden of ONIHL for the period 1990-2017. RESULTS: = -0.733, p<0.001), and these rates were significantly higher in countries with a lower HDI. From 1990 to 2017, the trend in between-country inequality was flat with little fluctuation, the CIs stayed near -0.17, and the RIIs remained near 0.35. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past few decades, low-income countries have experienced the most rapid growth in DALYs worldwide. A widening socio-economic disparity has persisted in the global burden of ONIHL, with a higher burden in lower socio-economic countries. These data suggest that more prevention programmes and healthcare services should be provided for developing countries.