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Macdonald WA, Oakman J. Changes needed to reduce risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Am J Ind Med 2024; 67:575-581. [PMID: 38752696 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the main contributor to disability levels, which are rising as populations age. Workplace hazard exposures are a major source of this problem, and current workplace risk management practices require substantial changes to tackle it more effectively. Most importantly, the current focus of risk management on "manual handling" tasks must broaden to encompass the whole job. This is necessary because a wide range of psychosocial hazards, most of which operate across the whole job rather than particular tasks, are significant contributors to risk. To ensure that risk-control actions are effective, a recurring risk management cycle that includes worker participation and addresses risk from both biomechanical and psychosocial hazards will be essential. Legislation that mandates workplace management of psychosocial hazards would be helpful. Amendment by regulatory bodies of MSD-related guidance and codes of practice so that they reflect current research evidence would also be helpful in communicating the need for change to workplace stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy A Macdonald
- School of Psychology and Public Health, Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jodi Oakman
- School of Psychology and Public Health, Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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2
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Wu TK, Ku LJE, Chang JH, Chiu CJ, Hu SC. Working retirees in Taiwan: examining determinants of different working status after retirement. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:224. [PMID: 38438979 PMCID: PMC10913683 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04849-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the work status of retirees after retirement, especially focusing on self-employment and unpaid work. Data was taken and analyzed from the "Taiwan Health and Retirement Study," a nationally representative sample of retired personnel aged 50-74 in 2015-2016. Four types of work status were classified after retirement: Fully retired, Paid work, Self-employment, and Unpaid work. Multinomial regression analysis was used to explore the factors related to participation in paid, self-employed, and unpaid work. Results show that pre-retirement occupation was significantly associated with paid work after retirement. For example, retirees in Taiwan who were employed by private enterprises or self-employed before retirement were more likely to engage in paid work after retirement than civil servants before retirement. Two other factors, namely pre-retirement job stress and work flexibility, prolong the careers of retired workers, especially in self-employment and unpaid work after retirement. Gender also significantly affects the choice of work after retirement. These findings can be used as a reference for future policies on the aging labor force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Kang Wu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Li-Jung Elizabeth Ku
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Jer-Hao Chang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ju Chiu
- Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Susan C Hu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, No.1, University Road, Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
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3
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Teborg S, Hünefeld L, Gerdes TS. Exploring the working conditions of disabled employees: a scoping review. J Occup Med Toxicol 2024; 19:2. [PMID: 38291467 PMCID: PMC10826256 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-023-00397-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Disabled people are often overlooked in considerations about work design, which contributes to their exclusion from the labor market. This issue also reflects within research, as the body of knowledge on the working conditions of disabled employees remains relatively limited. METHODS A scoping review was conducted to assess the research landscape concerning the working conditions of disabled employees. Five databases have been searched, focusing on relevant studies published between 2017 and 2022. RESULTS One hundred fourteen studies were included in the review. It was found that social aspects of work appeared within a substantial portion of the examined studies. Furthermore, it became evident that the interplay of accessibility and flexibility provides an important dynamic to make work design both inclusive and feasible. CONCLUSION The recurrent prominence of social aspects, accessibility, and flexibility across the studies shows common challenges and potentials within the work situation of disabled employees. This suggests avenues for future research and inclusive work design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Teborg
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Unit 1.2 Monitoring Working Conditions, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Lena Hünefeld
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Unit 1.2 Monitoring Working Conditions, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Tomke S Gerdes
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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4
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Ropponen A, Ervasti J, Härmä M. Concurrent trajectories of part-time work and sickness absence: a longitudinal cohort study over 11 years among shift working hospital employees. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e072987. [PMID: 37748850 PMCID: PMC10533668 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the concurrent changes in part-time work and sickness absence (SA) in healthcare. Another aim was to investigate the role of age and sex on different concurrent trajectory groups. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Public hospital districts (n=10) and cities (n=11) in Finland. PARTICIPANTS Payroll-based objective working hour data of the healthcare sector in Finland for 28 969 employees in 2008-2019 were used. The final sample included those working shifts with 3 consecutive years of data and without baseline (≥14 days) SA. PRIMARY OUTCOMES Part-time work (yes or no) and months of SA. MEASURES Group-based trajectory modelling to identify concurrent changes in part-time work, and months of SA while controlling the time-variant amount of night work and multinomial regression models for relative risk (RR) with 95% CIs were used. RESULTS Four-group trajectory model was the best solution: group 1 (61.2%) with full-time work and no SA, group 2 (16.9%) with slowly increasing probability of part-time work and low but mildly increasing SA, group 3 (17.6%) with increasing part-time work and no SA, and group 4 (4.3%) with fluctuating, increasing part-time work and highest and increasing levels of SA. Men had a lower (RR 0.49-0.75) and older age groups had a higher likelihood (RRs 1.32-3.79) of belonging to trajectory groups 2-4. CONCLUSIONS Most of the sample were in the trajectory group with full-time work and no SA. The probability of part-time work increased over time, linked with concurrent low increase or no SA. A minor group of employees had both an increased probability of part-time work and SA. Part-time work and other solutions might merit attention to promote sustainable working life among healthcare employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annina Ropponen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jenni Ervasti
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Härmä
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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5
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Bjuhr M, Engström M, Welmer AK, Elmståhl S, Sjölund BM. Health and work-related factors as predictors of still being active in working life at age 66 and 72 in a Swedish population: A longitudinal study. Work 2023; 76:1481-1492. [PMID: 37393472 PMCID: PMC10741316 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health and work environment are known factors in being active in working life beyond legal retirement. OBJECTIVE To investigate sociodemographic, health and work environment factors as possible predictors of being active in working life at ages 66 and 72. Secondly, investigate eventual changes over time, shortly after a major reform in the Swedish pension system, and predictors of still being active in working life at age 66. METHODS We used a longitudinal design with two separate cohorts of people at age 60. One baseline assessment was made in 2001-2003 with two 6 years follow-ups, and one in 2007-2009 with one 6 years follow-up. Data were accessed through a Swedish national population-based study and analysed using logistic regression. To examine possible differences between the two cohorts, interaction terms with each independent variable were analysed. RESULTS Being a man and working in a profession that requires at least three years of university education predicted that the person would still be active in working life at age 66 and 72. Additionally, having a light level of physical activity at work and being diagnosed with fewer than two diseases, also predicted still being active in working life at age 66. Only physical activity at work showed significant changes over time. CONCLUSION Shortly after a major reform of the public pension system, there was an increase in participation in working life after age 66 and 72. However, gender, profession, and health factors are still important considerations regarding older people's participation in working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Bjuhr
- Department of Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Maria Engström
- Department of Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Anna-Karin Welmer
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Aging Research Centre (ARC), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sölve Elmståhl
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Britt-Marie Sjölund
- Department of Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Aging Research Centre (ARC), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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6
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Workforce participation, health and wealth inequality among older Australians between 2001 and 2015. Arch Public Health 2022; 80:104. [PMID: 35361261 PMCID: PMC8969371 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-022-00852-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Australians born in 2012 can expect to live about 33 years longer than those born 100 years earlier. However, only seven of these additional years are spent in the workforce. Longer life expectancy has driven policies to extend working life and increase retirement age; the current Australian policy, which has increased the eligibility for the pension from 65 to 67 by 2023, assumes that an improvement in longevity corresponds with an improvement in healthy life expectancy. However, there is mixed evidence of health trends in Australia over the past two decades. Although some health outcomes are improving among older age groups, many are either stable or deteriorating. This raises a question of how health trends intersect with policy for older Australians aged from 50 to 70. This paper considers the interplay between older workers’ health and workforce participation rates over the past 15 years when extended workforce participation has been actively encouraged. Methods We compared health and economic outcomes of the older people in following years with the base year (start of the study period), adjusting for some key socio-economic characteristics such as age, sex, ethnicity, education and equivalized household income by applying the Random effects estimator with maximum likelihood estimation technique. Results We find that regardless of increasing longevity, the health of older adults aged between 50 and 70 has slightly deteriorated. In addition, health gaps between those who were working into their older age and those who were not have widened over the 15-year period. Finally, we find that widening health gaps linked to workforce participation are also accompanied by rising economic inequality in incomes, financial assets and superannuation. With the exception of a small group of healthy and very wealthy retirees, the majority of the older Australians who were not working had low incomes, assets, superannuation, and poor health. Conclusions The widening economic and health gap within older population over time indicates a clear and urgent need to add policy actions on income and health, to those that seek to increase workforce participation among older adults. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-022-00852-z.
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7
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Yuan B, Li J, Lan J. Labor Participation of Retirement-Aged Workers: Understanding the Influencing Mechanism of Health Status and Social Pension Insurance Participation. J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:e60-e69. [PMID: 34817454 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delayed retirement initiative is taken as one of the proposed solutions to population aging. Rare research attention has been paid to determinants in decisions-making of late retirement. METHOD This study applies data from CHARLS survey (2018) that traces the health status among older adults in China, and implements the stepwise multiple regression analysis adjusted with robust standard errors on individual level. RESULTS The difficulty in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and chronic conditions could increase the intention of retirement-aged workers to withdraw from late career participation; and the overlay of both would interact to reinforce such intention. Besides, the employment-related social pension participation could further strengthen the jointly contributing effect of both on withdrawal from late career participation. CONCLUSION The triple interaction mechanism in retirement-aged workers' decisions of late retirement needs considering in the policy formulation of delayed retirement initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bocong Yuan
- School of Tourism Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China (Yuan and Lan); Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China (Dr Li)
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8
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Martikainen A, Svensson Alavi A, Alexanderson K, Farrants K. Associations of sickness absence and disability pension due to mental and somatic diagnoses when aged 60-64 with paid work after the standard retirement age; a prospective population-based cohort study in Sweden. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:2322. [PMID: 34969394 PMCID: PMC8717651 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12382-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The proportion of people working beyond age 65 is increasing. We aimed to explore whether sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) due to mental, somatic, or both diagnoses when aged 60–64 were associated with being in paid work when aged 66–71. Methods This prospective population-based cohort study included all 98,551 individuals who in 2010 turned 65 years, lived in Sweden, and were in paid work at some point when aged 60–64. Data from three nationwide registers were used with 2010 as baseline, with SA or/and DP as the exposure variables (2005–2009) and paid work as the outcome variable (2011–2016). Logistic regression was conducted to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between exposures and outcome, controlling for sociodemographic factors. The analyses were also stratified by sex. Results Nearly half were in paid work during follow-up. Those with SA due to mental diagnoses had lower likelihood of being in paid work among both sexes (women OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69–0.84; men 0.74; 0.65–0.84), while this association was smaller for SA due to somatic diagnoses (women 0.87; 0.84–0.91; men 0.92; 0.89–0.96). SA due to both mental and somatic diagnoses was associated with a lower likelihood of paid work for men (0.77; 0.65–0.91), but not women (0.98; 0.88–1.09). Regardless of diagnosis group and sex, DP had the strongest association with not being in paid work (women mental DP 0.39; 0.34–0.45; women somatic DP 0.38; 0.35–0.41; women mental and somatic DP 0.28; 0.15–0.56; men mental DP 0.36; 0.29–0.43; men somatic DP 0.35; 0.32–0.38; men mental and somatic DP 0.22; 0.10–0.51). Combined SA and/or DP demonstrated ORs in-between the diagnosis groups of SA and DP alone (e.g., mental SA and/or DP women and men combined 0.61; 0.57–0.65). Conclusions SA and DP were negatively associated with being in paid work after the standard retirement age of 65. The association was especially strong for DP, irrespective of diagnosis group. Moreover, compared to somatic diagnoses, SA due to mental diagnoses had a stronger association with not being in paid work. More knowledge is needed on how mental SA impedes extending working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksiina Martikainen
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alice Svensson Alavi
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Alexanderson
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristin Farrants
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
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9
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Why do men extend their employment beyond pensionable age more often than women? a cohort study. Eur J Ageing 2021; 19:599-608. [PMID: 36052186 PMCID: PMC9424425 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-021-00663-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMen extend their employment beyond pensionable age more often than women, but the factors that contribute to this sex difference are unknown. This study aimed to examine sex differences in extending employment and the contribution of sociodemographic, work- and health-related factors to these differences. Participants of this prospective cohort study were 4,263 public sector employees from Finland who reached their individual pensionable date between 2014 and 2019 and responded to a survey on work- and non-work-related issues before that date. Extended employment was defined as continuing working for over six months beyond the individual pensionable date. We used mediation analysis to examine the contribution of explanatory factors to the association between sex and extended employment. Of the participants, 29% extended employment beyond the pensionable date. Men had a 1.29-fold (95% confidence interval 1.11–1.49) higher probability of extending employment compared with women. Men had a higher prevalence of factors that increase the likelihood of extended employment than women (such as spouse working full-time, no part-time retirement, low job strain, high work time control, and lack of pain) and this mediated the association of sex with extended employment by up to 83%. In conclusion, men were more likely to extend their employment beyond pensionable age than women. This difference was largely explained by men being more likely to have a full-time working spouse, low job strain, high work time control, no pain, and not being on part-time retirement.
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Kauppi M, Prakash KC, Virtanen M, Pentti J, Aalto V, Oksanen T, Kivimäki M, Vahtera J, Stenholm S. Social relationships as predictors of extended employment beyond the pensionable age: a cohort study. Eur J Ageing 2021; 18:491-501. [PMID: 34786011 PMCID: PMC8563924 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-021-00603-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim is to examine whether characteristics of social relationships predict extended employment beyond the pensionable age among Finnish public sector workers. The study population consisted of 4014 participants (83% women, age 62.56 ± 1.21) of the Finnish Retirement and Aging Study followed between 2014 and 2019. Extended employment was defined as the difference between actual retirement date and individual age-related pensionable date and classified into three groups: no extension (retired on pensionable age or extended by < 3 months), short extension (3 months–< 1 year), and long extension (≥ 1 year) beyond the pensionable date. Characteristics of social relationships and engagement were assessed 18 months prior to the pensionable date. Social engagement was classified into consumptive social participation, formal social participation, informal social participation, and other social participation. Data were analyzed using multinomial regression analysis. Of total study participants, 17.8% belonged to short- and 16.5% belonged to long-extension group. Adjusted for age, occupational status, self-rated health and depression, and having a working spouse (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.39–3.95) were associated with long extension of employment beyond the pensionable age when compared to no extension among men. Likewise, among women, living alone (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.28–2.00), having a working spouse (1.85, 1.39–2.45), and high consumptive (1.32, 1.07–1.65), high formal (1.47, 1.17–1.85), and other social participation (0.79, 0.63–0.98) were associated with long extension. Having a working spouse, living alone, and high consumptive social participation were associated with short extension. Several characteristics of social relationships, such as having a working spouse, living alone, and high frequency of social engagement, predicted an extension of employment beyond the pensionable age.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kauppi
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Turku and Helsinki, Finland
| | - K C Prakash
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - M Virtanen
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - J Pentti
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - V Aalto
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Turku and Helsinki, Finland
| | - T Oksanen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Turku and Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - M Kivimäki
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Turku and Helsinki, Finland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - J Vahtera
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - S Stenholm
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.,Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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Baxter S, Blank L, Cantrell A, Goyder E. Is working in later life good for your health? A systematic review of health outcomes resulting from extended working lives. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1356. [PMID: 34238265 PMCID: PMC8268509 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11423-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Work, rather than unemployment, is recognised as being good for health, but there may be an age when the benefits are outweighed by adverse impacts. As countries around the world increase their typical retirement age, the potential effect on population health and health inequalities requires scrutiny. Methods We carried out a systematic review of literature published since 2011 from developed countries on the health effects of employment in those over 64 years of age. We completed a narrative synthesis and used harvest plots to map the direction and volume of evidence for the outcomes reported. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) checklist in our methods and reporting. Results We identified seventeen relevant studies, which were of cohort or cross-sectional design. The results indicate evidence of beneficial or neutral effects from extended working on overall health status and physical health for many employees, and mixed effects on mental health. The benefits reported however, are most likely to be for males, those working part-time or reducing to part-time, and employees in jobs which are not low quality or low reward. Conclusions Extending working life (particularly part time) may have benefits or a neutral effect for some, but adverse effects for others in high demand or low reward jobs. There is the potential for widening health inequalities between those who can choose to reduce their working hours, and those who need to continue working full time for financial reasons. There is a lack of evidence for effects on quality of life, and a dearth of interventions enabling older workers to extend their healthy working life. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11423-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Baxter
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Regent Street, Sheffield, S14DA, UK.
| | - Lindsay Blank
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Regent Street, Sheffield, S14DA, UK
| | - Anna Cantrell
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Regent Street, Sheffield, S14DA, UK
| | - Elizabeth Goyder
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, Regent Street, Sheffield, S14DA, UK
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12
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Shiri R, Hiilamo A, Lallukka T. Indicators and determinants of the years of working life lost: a narrative review. Scand J Public Health 2021; 49:666-674. [PMID: 33645306 PMCID: PMC8512267 DOI: 10.1177/1403494821993669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This narrative review summarizes the available indicators for working life
expectancy and years of working life lost (YWLL) and their determinants. Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase databases from their inception until August
2020 and screened all studies proposing an indicator for working life
expectancy or YWLL. We also reviewed studies focusing on sociodemographic,
lifestyle and work-related determinants of working life expectancy and YWLL.
The results were synthesized narratively. Results: We identified 13 different indicators for the length of working life or YWLL.
The most frequently used indicators were ‘working life expectancy’, ‘healthy
working life expectancy’, and YWLL. Working life expectancy and healthy
working life expectancy are longer for men than women. Working life
expectancy at the age of 50 has been increasing since the mid-90s, and the
increase has been larger for women, reducing the sex difference. Working
life is shorter for people with a low level of education, in lower
occupational classes, for people exposed to high physical work demands,
those living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas, people with
overweight or obesity, smokers, people who are inactive during leisure time
and in people with a chronic health problem. Conclusions: Despite increasing interest in understanding the determinants of YWLL,
only a few studies have simultaneously considered multiple exit routes
from the labour market. We propose a new measure for total YWLL
considering all relevant exit routes from employment. This comprehensive
measure can be used to assess the effect of given policy changes on
prolonging working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahman Shiri
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Aapo Hiilamo
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tea Lallukka
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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13
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Durand MJ, Coutu MF, Tremblay D, Sylvain C, Gouin MM, Bilodeau K, Kirouac L, Paquette MA, Nastasia I, Coté D. Insights into the Sustainable Return to Work of Aging Workers with a Work Disability: An Interpretative Description Study. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2021; 31:92-106. [PMID: 32347441 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-020-09894-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose A sustainable return to work (S-RTW) following prolonged work disability poses particular challenges as workers age. This article provides a synthesis of the factors and issues involved in a S-RTW process for aging workers following such a disability. Methods Using interpretive description methods, a critical review was conducted of the literature specifying return-to-work factors and issues for aging workers with regard to four major causes of work disability (musculoskeletal disorders, common mental disorders, cancer or other chronic diseases). The initial review concerned the 2000-2016 literature, and was subsequently updated for November 2016-December 2018. To further explore and contextualise the results of this literature review, four focus groups were held with stakeholders, representing the workplace, insurance, and healthcare systems and workers. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed. Results Fifty-five articles were reviewed and 35 stakeholders participated in the focus groups. Returning to work and staying at work appear to be particularly challenging for aging workers, who face notable issues and stigma concerning their ability to meet work demands, as well as their mobilisation and engagement in these processes. Such findings echo in many ways the main assertions of the literature on aging at work, except those regarding the transformation of capacities with aging, which is not mentioned in relation to workers with a work disability. The influence of healthcare and compensation systems on the S-RTW of aging work-disabled workers has also received little attention to date. Conclusions The results underscore that aging workers with a disability are frequently vulnerable in terms of their health or their jobs. Intersectoral efforts are needed to remedy this situation to keep them at work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-José Durand
- Centre d'action en prévention et réadaptation des incapacités au travail (CAPRIT), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada.
- Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne-Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CR-CSIS), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada.
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada.
| | - Marie-France Coutu
- Centre d'action en prévention et réadaptation des incapacités au travail (CAPRIT), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
- Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne-Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CR-CSIS), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
| | - Dominique Tremblay
- Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne-Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CR-CSIS), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
| | - Chantal Sylvain
- Centre d'action en prévention et réadaptation des incapacités au travail (CAPRIT), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
- Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne-Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CR-CSIS), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
- School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
| | - Marie-Michelle Gouin
- Department of Management and Human Resource Management, School of Management, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Karine Bilodeau
- Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Station Centre-ville, PO Box 6128, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Laurie Kirouac
- Department of Industrial Relations, Université Laval, 1025 avenue des Sciences-Humaines, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Marie-Andrée Paquette
- Centre d'action en prévention et réadaptation des incapacités au travail (CAPRIT), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
- Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne-Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CR-CSIS), Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles-Le Moyne, Suite 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada
| | - Iuliana Nastasia
- Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), 505 Boulevard De Maisonneuve West, Montreal, QC, H3A 3C2, Canada
| | - Daniel Coté
- Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), 505 Boulevard De Maisonneuve West, Montreal, QC, H3A 3C2, Canada
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Kc P, Virtanen M, Pentti J, Kivimäki M, Vahtera J, Stenholm S. Does working beyond the statutory retirement age have an impact on health and functional capacity? The Finnish Retirement and Aging cohort study. Occup Environ Med 2020; 78:oemed-2020-106964. [PMID: 33303688 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2020-106964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the development of self-rated health, psychological distress and physical functioning between those retired on time and those who continued working beyond the individual retirement age. METHODS The study population consisted of 2340 public sector employees from the Finnish Retirement and Aging study. Participants were categorised into no extension of employment (retired at the individual retirement date or <3 months past) and extension of employment (≥12 months). Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was used to identify comparable group of participants in the no-extension (n=574) and extension (n=574) groups by taking into account preretirement characteristics and their interactions. RESULTS The prevalence of suboptimal self-rated health and psychological distress changed a little among the extension group during the follow-up from 1 year before (T1) to 18 months (T2) and 30 months (T3) after individual pensionable date. Compared with no extension, the risk of having suboptimal self-rated health in the extension group was 0.89 (95% CI 0.68 to 1.17) at T1, 1.16 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.53) at T2 and 0.96 (95% CI 0.68 to 1.37) at T3. For psychological distress, the corresponding risk ratios were 0.93 (0.65 to 1.32), 1.15 (0.78 to 1.69) and 1.04 (0.61 to 1.79). The mean differences in the number of physical functioning difficulties between the extension and no-extension groups were 0.06 (-0.16 to 0.29) at T1, 0.05 (-0.18 to 0.27) at T2 and -0.11 (-0.39 to 0.17) at T3. CONCLUSIONS This study found no evidence that voluntarily extending the working career beyond retirement age would pose a risk to health and physical functioning among ageing workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kc
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Marianna Virtanen
- School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Jaana Pentti
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Kivimäki
- Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jussi Vahtera
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Sari Stenholm
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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15
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Vanajan A, Bültmann U, Henkens K. Why do older workers with chronic health conditions prefer to retire early? Age Ageing 2020; 49:403-410. [PMID: 32037457 PMCID: PMC7187868 DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afz180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background older workers experiencing chronic health conditions (CHCs) are more likely to retire early. The different pathways through which CHCs stimulate retirement preferences, however, remain largely unexplored. Objective we present a more comprehensive model in which we test the different pathways through which four specific CHCs—arthritis, cardiovascular disease, sleep disorders and psychological disorders—influence early retirement preferences. We hypothesize that the association between CHCs and early retirement preferences is differentially mediated by subjective life expectancy (SLE), perceived health-related work limitations (HRWL) and vitality. Methods we collected data from 5,696 wage-employed older workers (60 to 64 years) in the Netherlands in 2015. Regression models were estimated to examine the associations between CHCs and early retirement preferences. Mediation analysis with the Karlson, Holm and Breen method was used to examine potential mediation pathways. Results SLE, HRWL and vitality mediated the association between CHCs and older workers’ early retirement preferences. The dominant mediator differed depending on the CHC. Severe HRWL predominantly guided the retirement preferences of older workers with arthritis and cardiovascular disease. Lower vitality mainly mediated retirement preferences of older workers with sleep and psychological disorders. Lower SLE was a significant mediation pathway for older workers with cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions HRWL and vitality play a major role in determining retirement preferences of older workers experiencing CHCs. Since both mediators are modifiable, targeted interventions may not only extend older workers’ working lives, but also improve the quality of their working lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushiya Vanajan
- Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ute Bültmann
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kène Henkens
- Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands
- Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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The role of personal characteristics, work environment and context in working beyond retirement: a mixed-methods study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2018; 92:535-549. [PMID: 30515561 PMCID: PMC6435613 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-018-1387-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the role of personal characteristics, work environment and context in working beyond retirement. Methods In the current study, a mixed-methods design was applied including quantitative survey data and semi-structured telephone interviews. Respondents (N = 568) were selected from the Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability and Motivation (STREAM). Personal characteristics, work characteristics and contextual factors were measured using a questionnaire at baseline. Concurrently, qualitative data of 30 persons aged over 65 years were gathered. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify quantitative associations and thematic analyses were used for qualitative purposes. Results Quantitative data revealed that being in good physical health (OR = 1.80), developmental proactivity (OR = 1.38), interesting work (OR = 2.02), appreciation (OR = 1.62) and voluntary work (OR = 1.58) were associated with working beyond the statutory retirement age. Additionally, qualitative findings suggested that working beyond retirement was mainly driven by the desire to contribute to society (e.g., mentor younger coworkers), and identified the employers’ willingness to hire an older worker despite existing stereotypes as an important precondition. Conclusions Working beyond retirement is influenced by physical health and work characteristics, as well as motivational determinants such as the desire to contribute to society. However, to meet the increasing demands for paid jobs by individuals aged over 65 years, the willingness of employers to actually hire them is crucial. Therefore, recognition and utilization of older workers’ potentials is of great importance.
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