AUTHOR=Wang Donghai , Yang Sen , Yu Wenxing , Tang Zixuan , Wang Qin , Fang Mingzhu , Li Chunyan 

TITLE=Deaths burden of laryngeal cancer attributable to occupational exposure in the male working age population: findings from global burden of disease study 2021

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1605654

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1605654

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=ObjectivesLaryngeal cancer (LC) is a major health threat to the male working-age population, with occupational exposures (asbestos and sulfuric acid) being key risk factors. However, the deaths burden of LC attributable to occupational exposure in this population remains unclear. This study analyzes the deaths burden from 1990 to 2021 using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data, providing insights for optimizing prevention strategies.MethodsData from GBD 2021 database were used to calculate age-standardized death rates (ASDR) and estimated annual percent changes (EAPC). Decomposition analysis and Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) models were applied to assess trends, drivers, and predict future trends to 2040. Frontier analysis exploring the relationship between SDI and ASDR for 204 countries and territories.ResultsGlobally, deaths burden of LC attributable to occupational exposures exhibited divergent trends from 1990 to 2021. Asbestos-related deaths decreased by 22% (533.6 cases in 2021; ASDR 0.02/100,000, 95% CI 0.01–0.04), with an EAPC of −3.23% (95% CI -3.32 to −3.14). Sulfuric acid-associated mortality increased by 16.19% (2,131.2 cases; ASDR 0.09/100,000, 95% CI 0.04–0.16), though with an EAPC decline of −1.90% (−1.98 to −1.82), suggesting improving age-standardized rates. Regional disparities were striking: High-SDI regions showed elevated asbestos burdens (Western Europe ASDR 0.06 vs. global 0.02), while middle-SDI regions dominated sulfuric acid mortality (South Asia ASDR 0.18 vs. global 0.09). Decomposition analysis revealed distinct drivers – asbestos burden growth (415% from epidemiological factors) reflected latency effects of historical exposures, whereas sulfuric acid increases stemmed from population expansion (336%) and aging (148%). Projections to 2040 indicate continued divergence: asbestos-related deaths are predicted to decline to 372.8 cases (ASDR 0.011/100,000), while sulfuric acid-associated mortality may rise to 2,543.8 cases (ASDR 0.078/100,000), with middle/low-SDI regions accounting for 78% of sulfuric acid burden.ConclusionLaryngeal cancer burden attributable to occupational exposure shows a contrasting trend with asbestos-related deaths appearing to decrease while sulfuric acid-related cases are rising. High-SDI regions face legacy asbestos risks, while middle and low-SDI regions are increasingly exposed to sulfuric acid. Targeted prevention strategies are needed, high-SDI regions should focus on asbestos risk management, and middle/low-SDI regions need to strengthen industrial protections, promote alternative materials, and enhance screening.