Office of Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-89/2
Title and Subtitle: Prevalence of disease among active civil airmen.
Report Date: October 1988
Authors: Booze CF.
Abstract: It has been the policy of the Federal Aviation Administration to medically certify, for a variety of flying privileges, individuals who have a medical deficiency or disease, provided it can be determined that such action does not compromise air safety. This descriptive epidemiologic study presents the point prevalence of pathology among 685,552 active airmen as of January 1, 1988, by major body system. The study also presents other selected pathologies of interest within the major body system.
Cardiovascular, eye, and abdominal pathologies represent the most prevalent medical conditions among active airmen (7.5%, 6.4% and 6.3% respectively). Hypertension is the most frequently occurring cardiovascular condition. Prevalence of pathology among active civil airmen, while still considerably less than among the general population, is increasing due to recent emphasis on relaxation of regulatory requirements when consistent with safety.
Key Words: pilots, epidemiology, pathology, medicine, deficiencies, civil aviation, relaxation, eye, aviation safety, cardiovascular system, abdomen, air force personnel, population, hypertension, diseases.
No. of Pages: 13
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-89/2
Title and Subtitle: Prevalence of disease among active civil airmen.
Report Date: October 1988
Authors: Booze CF.
Abstract: It has been the policy of the Federal Aviation Administration to medically certify, for a variety of flying privileges, individuals who have a medical deficiency or disease, provided it can be determined that such action does not compromise air safety. This descriptive epidemiologic study presents the point prevalence of pathology among 685,552 active airmen as of January 1, 1988, by major body system. The study also presents other selected pathologies of interest within the major body system.
Cardiovascular, eye, and abdominal pathologies represent the most prevalent medical conditions among active airmen (7.5%, 6.4% and 6.3% respectively). Hypertension is the most frequently occurring cardiovascular condition. Prevalence of pathology among active civil airmen, while still considerably less than among the general population, is increasing due to recent emphasis on relaxation of regulatory requirements when consistent with safety.
Key Words: pilots, epidemiology, pathology, medicine, deficiencies, civil aviation, relaxation, eye, aviation safety, cardiovascular system, abdomen, air force personnel, population, hypertension, diseases.
No. of Pages: 13
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012