Wang Yifei, Zhang Nan, Li Xiangxi, Du Wenrui, Wang He, Shi Xuepeng
Innovation Institute for Sustainable Maritime Architecture Research and Technology, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 11, Fushun Road, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China.
College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 10;15(1):24844. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-09575-x.
Exposure to occupational noise has emerged as a major health issue worldwide. To better evaluate changes in the health impacts of occupational noise exposure from 1990 to 2021, this study conducted stratified analyses of spatiotemporal variations across regions, genders, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI) levels. Results indicate that low-income and rapidly industrializing countries bear higher burdens of occupational noise-related diseases. Males and middle-aged to elderly populations are the primary high-risk groups for occupational noise exposure, with a particularly notable increase in the burden among those aged 45-74. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) significantly decreased with increasing SDI, while estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) showed significant positive correlations with both DALYs (R = 0.3) and SDI (R = 0.4). Regions with an SDI of 0.4-0.6 experienced the most pronounced EAPC growth. By 2035, DALYs rates are projected to decrease to 125.0 ± 1.9 per 100,000, although the burden for individuals aged 65 and above is expected to increase significantly. Population growth and aging were identified as key drivers of DALYs increases, contributing 68.2% and 20.9%, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, the slope inequality index changed from - 9.6 to 2.5, and the concentration index curve became smoother. Although health inequality has improved, the disease burden in low-SDI countries remains significantly higher than theoretical minimum levels. This study provides robust support for reducing global occupational noise exposure and its associated health inequalities.
职业噪声暴露已成为全球主要的健康问题。为了更好地评估1990年至2021年职业噪声暴露对健康影响的变化，本研究对各地区、性别、年龄和社会人口指数（SDI）水平的时空变化进行了分层分析。结果表明，低收入和快速工业化国家承受着更高的职业噪声相关疾病负担。男性以及中年至老年人群是职业噪声暴露的主要高危群体，45 - 74岁人群的负担增加尤为显著。伤残调整生命年（DALYs）随着SDI的增加而显著下降，而估计年百分比变化（EAPC）与DALYs（R = 0.3）和SDI（R = 0.4）均呈显著正相关。SDI为0.4 - 0.6的地区EAPC增长最为明显。到2035年，预计DALYs率将降至每10万人125.0±1.9，尽管65岁及以上人群的负担预计将显著增加。人口增长和老龄化被确定为DALYs增加的关键驱动因素，分别贡献了68.2%和20.9%。从1990年到2021年，斜率不平等指数从 - 9.6变为2.5，集中指数曲线变得更平滑。尽管健康不平等有所改善，但低SDI国家的疾病负担仍显著高于理论最低水平。本研究为减少全球职业噪声暴露及其相关的健康不平等提供了有力支持。
