Occupational heat exposure incidence and sociodemographic disparities for outdoor workers in the United States, 2010–2019

This study characterizes potentially hazardous heat exposures among outdoor workers for every census tract in the contiguous United States during 2010-2019. Current epidemiological and health impact studies of heat-related disease and mortality do not typically consider how occupational heat exposure may exacerbate adverse heat-related health outcomes in communities experiencing high heat. Our approach could reduce exposure misclassification bias in these studies. Policy-wise, these spatiotemporal estimates can support regulatory enforcement and consultation of occupational heat exposure by better targeting particular communities with high heat exposure. These estimates can also inform surveillance efforts and healthcare resources of state and local health departments.