Occupational and Environmental Health: Recognizing and Preventing Disease and Injury - Multiple Choice Questions - Learn & Prevent

What is the prevalence of chronic occupational respiratory disease that is correctly identified as associated with work?

1. Only a small fraction

2. About 50%

3. Nearly 75%

4. Almost all cases

The correct answer is: Only a small fraction

Chronic occupational respiratory diseases are those that develop over time due to exposure to harmful substances in the workplace, such as dust, chemicals, or fumes. These diseases can have serious impacts on a person's health and quality of life. However, not all respiratory diseases are correctly identified as being associated with work. Therefore, the prevalence, or frequency, of these diseases that are correctly identified as work-related is only a small fraction. This means that the majority of cases of occupational respiratory disease are likely not recognized as being connected to the workplace. Option B, C, and D are incorrect because they overestimate the prevalence of correctly identified cases, implying that the problem is not as small as it actually is.