Factors that influence planning for physical activity among workers in small- and medium-sized enterprises

Does Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Affect Workers' Health?

During recent decades, the elevation of workers' health has become the utmost point of concern since it is considered among the primary indicators of economies. The economies, especially the emerging ones, are primarily focusing on every indicator to uplift their businesses. Along with the other aspects, it is also required to assess the impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on workers' health conditions in small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). With this aim, we are presenting a detailed analysis to reveal useful insights regarding the COPD-workers' health nexus. The sample set of 1,008 workers is working in various SMEs in Beijing and Tianjin from September, 2020. The findings infer that a rise in COPD concerning wages will uplift the worker health problems due to COPD affecting worker health. Whereas, the working condition and tools, smoking years, and health safety training have a statistically adverse effect on workers' health concerning wages. The outcomes in terms of insights would be useful for planning future perspectives.

Older Adult Males Who Worked at Small-Sized Workplaces Have an Increased Risk of Decline in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: A Community-Based Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

To examine the relationship of working history from early adulthood through old age with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).

METHODS

Analyzed participants were 5,857 community-dwelling older Japanese people aged ≥65 years. Using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence, IADL decline was defined as individuals who had no IADL dependence at baseline but were deemed as dependent in IADL at follow-up. Work history was based on working status at baseline, total working years, and information concerning the longest held job, including occupation, employment pattern, and workplace size (number of employees). We conducted multiple logistic regression analyses and estimated the odds ratios (ORs) for IADL decline with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by gender.

RESULTS

At the 33-month follow-up, 428 men (16.6%) and 275 women (8.4%) developed IADL decline. After covariate adjustments, men with unstable employment reported significantly increased IADL decline (OR 1.52; 95% CI, 1.19-1.95) compared to men with stable employment, and men who worked in small workplaces with 1-49 employees had an increased risk for IADL decline (OR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.21-1.93) compared to men in large-sized workplaces with ≥50 employees. After mutual adjustment for all working history items, only the association between small workplaces and IADL decline remained significant in men (OR 1.37; 95% CI, 1.03-1.84). Among women, none of the working history items were associated with IADL decline.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that not only promoting older people's workforce participation, but also providing workers employed at small workplaces with sufficient occupational health services, may be effective in helping men retain IADL in later life.