天津市2004-2014年HIV/AIDS生存时间及影响因素

目的 了解天津市HIV/AIDS生存时间及影响因素。方法 统计2004-2014年全国艾滋病防治信息系统中天津市报告的全部HIV/AIDS,运用寿命表法和Kaplan-Meier方法计算生存时间及各年生存率,运用单因素及多因素Cox回归方法对生存时间的影响因素进行相关分析。结果 2 775例HIV/AIDS病例1年、3年、5年、10年、11年累计生存率分别为91%、88%、86%、79%和79%;AIDS患者的死亡风险高于HIV感染者（χ²=107.622,P<0.001）;多因素Cox比例风险回归分析发现,感染途径、病例来源、抗病毒治疗和首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）计数均是影响AIDS患者生存时间的因素。结论 早发现和早治疗能够明显降低HIV/AIDS的死亡风险,提高生存时间,应加强HIV/AIDS早发现和早治疗工作。     

甘肃省1997-2018年HIV/AIDS生存时间及影响因素分析

目的 了解1997-2018年甘肃省HIV/AIDS生存时间与影响因素。方法 利用国家艾滋病防治基本信息系统1997-2018年甘肃省疫情资料,采用回顾性队列研究方法,用寿命表法计算生存率,用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线并计算平均生存时间,用Cox比例风险回归模型分析HIV/AIDS的艾滋病相关死亡的影响因素。结果 6 813例HIV/AIDS中,715例（10.5%）死于艾滋病相关疾病,平均生存时间为195.9（95%CI：189.7~202.2）个月,12、60、120和180个月的累积生存率分别为91.5%、86.1%、79.9%和73.8%。Cox比例风险回归模型分析结果显示,在艾滋病相关死亡风险方面,诊断时的年龄≥ 51岁组是≤ 25岁组的1.906倍（95%CI：1.353~2.685）;其他传播途径病例是同性性传播病例的1.593倍（95%CI：1.226~2.069）;通过入院就诊、受血/血制品及术前检测发现的病例是通过出入境、婚/孕前检测及新兵体检发现病例的5.113倍（95%CI：2.083~12.547）;诊断时病程阶段为艾滋病的病例是HIV感染病例的4.012倍（95%CI：3.401~4.732）;未检测CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）的病例是首次CD₄值≥ 350个/μl病例的5.446倍（95%CI：3.835~7.732）;未接受抗病毒治疗的病例是已接受抗病毒治疗病例的12.019倍（95%CI：9.861~14.648）。结论 1997-2018年甘肃省HIV/AIDS平均生存时间超过16年。诊断时年龄≥ 51岁、通过入院就诊、受血/血制品及术前检测发现、诊断时病程阶段为艾滋病、未检测CD₄、未接受抗病毒治疗的HIV/AIDS死亡风险更高。应早发现、早诊断、早治疗,提高CD₄检测率及治疗率,延长HIV/AIDS的生存时间。     

2010年全国新报告HIV感染者/AIDS病例生存时间及其相关因素分析

目的 分析全国2010年新报告HIV感染者/AIDS病例（HIV/AIDS）生存时间及影响因素。方法 使用艾滋病综合防治数据信息系统截至2015年12月31日的病例报告历史卡片和随访定时数据库,筛选出2010年新报告HIV/AIDS并整理出随访结局数据,以寿命表法计算其生存率,采用Kaplan-Meier法拟合不同状态下的生存曲线,Cox比例风险模型分析HIV/AIDS生存时间的影响因素。结果 40 335例HIV/AIDS中,11 975例因艾滋病及相关疾病死亡;截至观察终点时,中位生存时间为63.1（95%CI：63.0~63.2）个月,1年和5年生存率分别为81.2%和69.9%;多因素Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,艾滋病死亡的风险随年龄增加而增加,25~34、35~44、45~54和≥55岁组因艾滋病死亡的风险分别是15~24岁组的1.41倍（95%CI：1.29~1.54）、1.90倍（95%CI：1.74~2.07）、2.24倍（95%CI：2.04~2.46）和2.81倍（95%CI：2.57~3.08）;HIV/AIDS首次检测CD₄^＋T淋巴细胞（CD₄）值≥500个/μl是CD₄值<200个/μl 的0.12倍（95%CI：0.11~0.13）;接受抗病毒治疗者是未接受治疗者的0.11倍（95%CI：0.10~0.12）。结论 确诊时年龄、确诊时CD₄值水平、是否接受抗病毒治疗是HIV/AIDS生存时间的主要影响因素,应及早进行艾滋病检测、接受抗病毒治疗,以延长HIV/AIDS生存时间。     

北京市1995-2015年艾滋病病例诊断后生存时间与影响因素分析

目的 分析1995-2015年北京市HIV感染者/AIDS患者（HIV/AIDS）诊断后生存时间及影响因素。方法 运用回顾性队列研究方法,对1995-2015年中国艾滋病综合防治信息系统中报告的12 874例HIV/AIDS的数据资料进行分析,应用寿命表法计算生存率,采用Cox比例风险模型分析生存时间的相关因素。结果 12 874例HIV/AIDS中,303例（2.4%）死于艾滋病及相关疾病,接受抗病毒治疗9 346例（72.6%）。平均生存时间为226.5个月（95% CI：223.0~230.1）,1、5、10、15年生存率分别为98.2%、96.4%、93.2%、91.9%。Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,艾滋病死亡风险较高的因素包括诊断时为艾滋病患者（比HIV感染者,HR=1.439,95% CI：1.041~1.989）;异性传播（比同性传播,HR=1.646,95% CI：1.184~2.289）;现有或曾有配偶（比未婚,HR=2.186,95% CI：1.510~3.164）;诊断时年龄≥ 60岁（比≤ 30岁,HR=6.608,95% CI：3.546~12.316）;诊断后首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）<350个/μl（比≥ 350个/μl,HR=8.711,95% CI：5.757~13.181）;未抗病毒治疗（比抗病毒治疗,HR=18.223,95% CI：13.317~24.937）。结论 1995-2015年北京市HIV/AIDS诊断后的平均生存时间为226.5个月。诊断为HIV感染、同性传播、未婚、≤ 30岁、首次CD₄ ≥ 350个/μl、接受抗病毒治疗的HIV/AIDS生存时间较长。相反,诊断为AIDS、异性传播、现有或曾有配偶、年龄≥ 60岁、CD₄<350个/μl、未抗病毒治疗的死亡风险较高。     

贵州省1996－2015年注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS死亡率及其影响因素分析

目的 了解贵州省注射吸毒人群中HIV/AIDS死亡情况及其影响因素,为降低HIV/AIDS死亡率提供参考依据。方法 采用回顾性队列研究方法,以我国艾滋病防治基本信息系统中1996－2015年贵州省注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS为研究对象,应用Cox比例风险回归模型分析其死亡的影响因素。结果 共有3 958例注射吸毒HIV/AIDS纳入分析,全死因的死亡比例为44.01%（1 742/3 958）,总死亡率为7.80/100人年,生存时间M=8.08年;抗病毒治疗（ART）组死亡率为3.57/100人年,美沙酮维持治疗（MMT）组死亡率为4.08/100人年。多因素Cox回归分析结果显示,研究对象的死亡与性别、民族、确认HIV阳性时年龄、确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）、ART和MMT有关;女性的死亡风险是男性的0.82倍（95% CI：0.69～0.98）;少数民族的死亡风险是汉族的1.39倍（95% CI：1.21～1.60）;确认HIV阳性时年龄≥50岁的死亡风险是<20岁的2.44倍（95% CI：1.07～5.56）;确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄≥500个/μl组的死亡风险是CD₄<200个/μl组的0.27倍（95% CI：0.22～0.32）;未参加ART的死亡风险是参加者的2.83倍（95% CI：2.45～3.26）;未参加MMT的死亡风险是参加者的1.35倍（95% CI：1.15～1.59）。结论 1996－2015年贵州省注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS中,男性、确认HIV阳性时年龄较大者、确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄较低、未参加ART和MMT的病例,死亡风险较高。     

宁波市2004-2015年抗病毒治疗HIV/AIDS患者生存分析

目的 了解2004-2015年宁波市接受抗病毒治疗的HIV/AIDS患者流行病学特征及生存情况。方法 采用回顾性队列研究方法,对研究对象的流行病学特征进行描述性分析,利用寿命表法计算生存率、Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线、Cox比例风险回归模型分析影响死亡的危险因素。结果 2 347例研究对象中,接受抗病毒初始治疗的年龄中位数为35（IQR：27～45）岁,以男性、本地、已婚或同居、异性性传播、基线CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）≤200个/μl、WHO分期Ⅰ期为主。第1、5、7、10年的累计生存率分别为96.75%、92.36%、91.87%、90.02%。多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析显示,年龄越大死亡危险度越高,接受抗病毒治疗的>60岁HIV/AIDS患者是≤20岁组的17.34倍（95% CI：2.11～142.71）;基线WHO临床分期Ⅳ期患者死亡危险是Ⅰ期的2.83倍（95% CI：1.67～4.80）;耐药患者死亡风险是不耐药患者死亡风险的3.26倍（95% CI：1.77～6.01）;相较于同性性传播途径,血液传播是患者死亡的危险因素;CD₄值越低,死亡风险越大;BMI<18.5 kg/m²、未婚是患者死亡的独立危险因素。结论 宁波市HIV/AIDS患者抗病毒治疗效果显著,生存率较高。关爱老年人群,针对流行病学特征加强宣传教育,扩大监测范围,早发现早诊断早治疗,提高抗病毒治疗者的依从性是降低病死率的有效措施。     

贵州省1995－2018年HIV/AIDS生存时间及其影响因素分析

目的 了解1995-2018年贵州省HIV/AIDS生存时间及影响因素。方法 采用回顾性队列研究的方法,从"艾滋病防治基本信息系统"中下载1995-2018年贵州省报告的所有现住址为贵州省的HIV/AIDS报告卡。进行统计分析,运用寿命表法计算生存率、Kaplan-Meier法计算生存时间、Cox比例风险模型分析HIV/AIDS生存时间的影响因素。结果 纳入研究对象HIV/AIDS 53 232例,死亡率为8.53/100人年(14 210/166 679.18);生存时间中位数为10.20(95%CI:9.91~10.48)年,第1、5、10、20年的累积生存概率分别为0.85、0.68、0.51、0.36、0.19;多因素Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,男性(与女性相比,aHR=0.757,95%CI:0.727~0.788)、未接受过抗病毒治疗(与接受过抗病毒治疗相比,aHR=0.173,95%CI:0.165~0.181)、首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞(CD₄)<200个/μl(与首次CD₄ ≥ 200个/μl者相比,aHR=0.410,95%CI:0.387~0.435)、≥ 45岁 (与<45岁者相比,aHR=1.506,95%CI:1.193~1.901)、文盲(与高中及以上学历者相比,aHR=0.904,95%CI:0.832~0.982)、未婚(与离异或丧偶者相比, aHR=0.896,95%CI:0.848~0.946)、异性性传播(与同性性传播者相比,aHR=0.555,95%CI:0.487~0.632)、苗族等少数民族(与汉族相比,aHR=1.185,95%CI:1.114~1.262)、农民/民工(与家政/待业者相比, aHR=0.874,95%CI:0.834~0.916)均是影响病例生存时间的因素。结论 贵州省HIV/AIDS死亡率较高,近年来并未出现明显的下降趋势,男性、≥ 45岁、文化程度较低、少数民族、首次CD₄检测<200个/μl等是影响HIV/AIDS生存时间的因素。应该针对具有这些特征的病例加强治疗和随访管理,以提高其生存质量。     

四川省凉山州2004－2012年接受抗病毒治疗的艾滋病患者生存状况分析

目的 分析四川省凉山州首次接受抗病毒治疗艾滋病患者的生存时间及其影响因素.方法 运用回顾性队列研究方法,分析2004－2012年中国艾滋病抗病毒治疗信息管理系统中的凉山州艾滋病患者资料,应用寿命表法计算生存率,采用Cox比例风险模型分析生存时间的影响因素.结果 5 525例研究对象平均年龄(34.5±9.0)岁,男性占73.9%,经静脉吸毒感染占65.8%;从确认HIV抗体阳性到接受抗病毒治疗平均时间为(23.0±20.1)个月.死于艾滋病相关疾病的287例治疗平均时间为(12.7±10.6)个月,其中32.8%是在治疗开始后的6个月内病死.接受抗病毒治疗第1、2、3、4、5 年的生存率分别为97%、93%、89%、88%、84%.Cox比例风险回归模型分析显示,女性艾滋病患者病死的风险低于男性(HR=0.556,95%CI:0.367～0.872);静脉吸毒感染艾滋病的患者病死风险高于异性性传播感染(HR=1.569,95%CI:1.061～2.321);首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数检测结果<50 cell/mm³(HR=11.996,95%CI:6.714～21.435)、50～200 cell/mm³(HR=2.481,95%CI:1.620～3.798)的患者病死风险均高于≥350 cell/mm³的患者;治疗前最近1年无肺结核的艾滋病患者病死风险低于患有肺结核的患者(HR=0.511,95%CI:0.330～0.791).结论 凉山州艾滋病患者接受抗病毒治疗延长了生存时间,提高了生存率;艾滋病患者应定期进行随访和CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞检测,及时接受抗病毒治疗.     

四川省1991-2017年HIV/AIDS生存分析

目的 分析1991-2017年四川省HIV/AIDS生存时间及其影响因素。方法 运用回顾性队列研究方法,对全国艾滋病综合防治数据信息系统中1991-2017年四川省新报告的143 988例HIV/AIDS的资料,采用寿命表法计算生存概率,用Cox比例风险模型分析生存时间的影响因素。结果 143 988例HIV/AIDS中,30 420例死于艾滋病及相关疾病（21.1%）,平均生存时间为11.51年（95% CI：11.39~11.64）;多因素Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,HIV/AIDS生存的相关影响因素包括性别（男比女：HR=1.35,95% CI：1.32~1.40）、文化程度（小学及以下比初中及以上：HR=1.15,95% CI：1.12~1.18）、民族（汉族比其他：HR=1.46,95% CI：1.41~1.52）、职业（农民比其他：HR=1.26,95% CI：1.22~1.29）、诊断时年龄（≥ 55岁比15~24岁：HR=3.18,95% CI：3.02~3.36）、诊断时疾病状态（艾滋病比HIV感染：HR=1.44,95% CI：1.39~1.48）、抗病毒治疗（ART）（接受ART者比未接受ART者：HR=0.20,95% CI：0.19~0.20）、首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）（>500个/μl比<200个/μl：HR=0.42,95% CI：0.40~0.45）。结论 1991-2017年四川省HIV/AIDS诊断后平均生存时间为11.51年。男性、小学及以下文化程度、汉族、农民、诊断时较大年龄、诊断时为艾滋病状态是HIV/AIDS生存的危险因素,接受ART、首次CD₄水平高是HIV/AIDS生存的保护因素。     

河南省2008-2015年15岁及以上HIV/AIDS生存状况回顾性队列研究

目的 了解河南省HIV感染者/AIDS患者（HIV/AIDS）确诊AIDS后生存状况及其影响因素。方法 从国家艾滋病综合防治信息系统下载河南省相关数据库，筛选出2008-2015年间确诊为AIDS且≥15岁患者，进行回顾性研究。结果 纳入25 525例研究对象，观察期内病死率为24.9%，其中接受高效抗反转录病毒治疗（HAART）为14.4%。治疗比例从2008年的72.1%上升到2015年的92.8%，同期病死率从21.2%下降到4.1%，其中接受HAART者从9.2%下降到2.6%。多因素分析显示，确诊AIDS时CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）计数<50个/μl的患者死亡风险大（aHR=2.45）；接受HAART的患者死亡风险低（aHR=0.13）。在接受HAART患者中，有复方磺胺甲恶唑（TMP-SMZ）服用史的患者死亡风险低（aHR=0.76）；确诊AIDS时CD₄计数50~个/μl组和<50个/μl组死亡风险高（aHR值分别为1.26和1.97）；基线CD₄计数50~个/μl、<50个/μl组死亡风险高（aHR值分别为1.44和1.84）。结论 抗病毒治疗是影响HIV/AIDS生存时间的重要因素，加强HIV/AIDS的CD₄检测，尽早纳入HAART，同时及时开展TMP-SMZ预防治疗，是减少患者AIDS相关疾病死亡的有效途径。     

Calcium intake in the elderly: validation of a dietary questionnaire

Epidemiological studies of calcium and osteoporosis have been hampered by the lack of a suitable tool for assessing calcium intake. This report describes a new frequency and amount questionnaire for measuring present and past calcium intake in the elderly. The validity of the questionnaire was tested against two commonly used standards of dietary assessment, five-day duplicate diets and seven-day weighed dietary inventories. The resulting correlation coefficients were, respectively, r = 0.76 and r = 0.69, while that for repeatability was r = 0.84. Furthermore, the questionnaire categorized subjects into thirds of the distribution of intake with almost no gross misclassification. It is suggested that the present findings may be extended to the majority of normal, healthy elderly subjects, implying wide application for the questionnaire in the assessment of calcium intake in the elderly.     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

深圳公立医院管理体制改革制度设计

深圳公立医院管理体制改革实行政事分开、管办分开,在理事会架构下按法定机构模式组建市医管中心,落实公立医院运营管理自主权.作者从当前公立医院管理体制的弊端入手,介绍了深圳市进行公立医院管理体制改革的基本思路及改革方案设计的主要举措,深入剖析了的改革方案的特点,并对改革效果进行了预测.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on red blood cells of rats: Changes in components of red cell membranes during in vivo exposure to NO2

Red cell membranes, prepared from red blood cells of rats exposed to 4, 10, or 20 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for 1 to 10 days, were examined for evidence of changes in membrane components. Appreciable changes were not found in contents of phospholipid and cholesterol during exposure to 10 ppm NO₂. By contrast, protein content altered with the time of exposure. Moreover, changes in protein composition were observed by employing sodium dodecyl sulfate — polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four-hour exposure to NO₂ at the concentration above 10 ppm resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) to the total phospholipids. The prolonged exposure to 10 ppm NO₂ gave rise to a further increase in LysoPE, whereas the percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) showed a gradual decrease. A 1-day exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂ also caused an increase in sialic acid content and decreases in those of PE and hexose. In addition to contents of these components the percentage of LysoPE increased 5 days after exposure and the elevated values were maintained up to the end of exposure period. These results demonstrate that red blood cells in circulation exhibit different membrane properties in terms of lipid and carbohydrate composition during 10 days of exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.