Objective To understand the incidence characteristics, changing trends, and patterns of occupational diseases in Yangzhou, clarify the key areas for prevention and control of occupational disease, and provide a basis for formulating city-wide strategies on preventing occupational disease.

Methods Data were collected on newly diagnosed cases of occupational diseases in Yangzhou from January 2012 to December 2022. A descriptive analysis was conducted on patients' general information （such as gender, age of onset, type of work, and work age）, information about the employers （including the location of the employer, enterprise size, and industry type）, and types of occupational diseases.

Results A total of 363 new cases of occupational diseases, covering 28 types in 8 categories, were reported in Yangzhou from 2012 to 2022, showing an overall wave-like trend. Among them, 287 cases were male （79.06%）, and 76 cases were female （20.94%）. The median age of onset was 48 （43, 52） years. There were 192 cases of occupational ear-nose-throat diseases （52.89%）, 70 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases （19.28%）, and 52 cases of occupational chemical poisoning （14.33%）, together accounting for 86.5% of the total cases. Occupational ear-nose-throat diseases were dominated by occupational noise induced deafness （171 cases, 89.1%）.

Conclusions The newly diagnosed occupational diseases in Yangzhou were mainly occupational noise induced hearing loss, occupational pneumoconiosis and other respiratory diseases, and occupational chemical poisoning. Efforts should be made to strengthen noise control measures and enhance guidance, assistance, and supervision of small and medium-sized private enterprises.