National Occupational Mortality Surveillance

The National Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS) program is coordinated by the CDC, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NOMS is a surveillance system that monitors and analyzes mortality data by occupation and industry code included on death certificates to identify work-related causes of death. This helps detect patterns that may be indicative of health risks associated with certain jobs. NOMS has helped reveal: 1) High rates of mesothelioma in construction and shipyard workers (linked to asbestos exposure); 2) Increased suicide rates in certain occupations (like farming and construction); and 3) Patterns of lung disease among coal miners and other industrial workers. Data are also accessible from the National Vital Statistics System.