Abstract
Many diseases associated with occupational exposures are clinically indistinguishable from diseases with non-occupational causes. Given this, how are fair decisions made about eligibility for compensation? This problem is discussed in relation to the federal black lung program. Conflicting definitions of terms - coal workers' pneumoconiosis as defined by the medical profession, pneumoconiosis as defined by the United States Congress, and the popular term, black lung - are important considerations in this discussion. Each is embedded in different logical interpretations of the causes of occupational disease and of disability. Alternative views are presented and critically discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 58-61 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | American Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 76 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 1986 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health