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Li C, Wang L, Ding L, Zhou Y. Determinants and inequities in healthy working life expectancy in China. Nat Med 2024:10.1038/s41591-024-03184-3. [PMID: 39090410 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Many countries are raising the pension age to mitigate the challenges of population aging, but such a solution may ignore the disparities in health and working conditions across populations. Using large-scale longitudinal data from China, this study provides estimates of healthy working life expectancy (HWLE), defined as the average number of years expected to be spent healthy and in work from age 50 years, and highlights substantial inequities in HWLE by gender, socioeconomic status and geographical region. The HWLE from age 50 years was, on average, 6.87 (95% confidence interval: 6.70 to 7.04) years in China. Hypertension was the leading chronic condition for people working unhealthily (5.67 years for men and 4.85 years for women), and arthritis contributed the largest differences in unhealthy working years across people by occupation (agricultural laborer versus enterprise employee, 3.28 years). Moreover, adopting healthy lifestyles was associated with gains in HWLE (2.13 years for men and 1.61 years for women). Our findings suggest that increasing the pension age through a 'one-size-fits-all' approach may not effectively meet the goal of extending working lives. Inclusive initiatives aimed at targeted populations to promote health or work conditions and to facilitate the pension system will be essential to improve HWLE by reducing inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshuang Li
- Center for Smart and Healthy Buildings, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Center for Smart and Healthy Buildings, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lieyun Ding
- Center for Smart and Healthy Buildings, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Center for Smart and Healthy Buildings, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Dobson KG, Gignac MAM, Mustard CA. The working life expectancy of American adults experiencing depression. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2024; 59:1013-1027. [PMID: 37679526 PMCID: PMC11116182 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the working life expectancies (WLE) of men and women with depression, examining depression by symptom trajectories from the late 20s to early 50s, and to estimate WLE by race/ethnicity and educational attainment. METHODS Data from 9206 participants collected from 1979 to 2018 in the US National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort were used. Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Short Form at four time points (age 28-35, age 30-37, age 40, and age 50). Labor force status was measured monthly starting at age 30 until age 58-62. Depressive symptom trajectories were estimated using growth mixture modeling and multistate modeling estimated WLE from age 30-60 for each gender and depressive symptom trajectory. RESULTS Five latent symptom trajectories were established: a persistent low symptom trajectory (n = 6838), an episodic trajectory with high symptoms occurring before age 40 (n = 995), an episodic trajectory with high symptoms occurring around age 40 (n = 526), a trajectory with high symptoms occurring around age 50 (n = 570), and a persistent high symptom trajectory (n = 277). The WLE for men at age 30 was 30.3 years for the persistent low symptom trajectory, 22.8 years for the episodic before 40 trajectory, 19.6 years for the episodic around age 40 trajectory, 18.6 years for the episodic around age 50 trajectory, and 13.2 years for the persistent high symptom trajectory. Results were similar for women. WLE disparities between depression trajectories grew when stratified by race/ethnicity and education level. CONCLUSIONS Roughly a quarter of individuals experienced episodic depressive symptoms. However, despite periods of low depressive symptoms, individuals were expected to be employed ~5-17 years less at age 30 compared to those with low symptoms. Accessible employment and mental health disability support policies and programs across the working life course may be effective in maintaining work attachment and improving WLE among those who experience depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monique A M Gignac
- Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cameron A Mustard
- Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Lynch M, Bucknall M, Jagger C, Kingston A, Wilkie R. Demographic, health, physical activity, and workplace factors are associated with lower healthy working life expectancy and life expectancy at age 50. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5936. [PMID: 38467680 PMCID: PMC10928117 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53095-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Although retirement ages are rising in the United Kingdom and other countries, the average number of years people in England can expect to spend both healthy and work from age 50 (Healthy Working Life Expectancy; HWLE) is less than the number of years to the State Pension age. This study aimed to estimate HWLE with the presence and absence of selected health, socio-demographic, physical activity, and workplace factors relevant to stakeholders focusing on improving work participation. Data from 11,540 adults in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing were analysed using a continuous time 3-state multi-state model. Age-adjusted hazard rate ratios (aHRR) were estimated for transitions between health and work states associated with individual and combinations of health, socio-demographic, and workplace factors. HWLE from age 50 was 3.3 years fewer on average for people with pain interference (6.54 years with 95% confidence interval [6.07, 7.01]) compared to those without (9.79 [9.50, 10.08]). Osteoarthritis and mental health problems were associated with 2.2 and 2.9 fewer healthy working years respectively (HWLE for people without osteoarthritis: 9.50 years [9.22, 9.79]; HWLE with osteoarthritis: 7.29 years [6.20, 8.39]; HWLE without mental health problems: 9.76 years [9.48, 10.05]; HWLE with mental health problems: 6.87 years [1.58, 12.15]). Obesity and physical inactivity were associated with 0.9 and 2.0 fewer healthy working years respectively (HWLE without obesity: 9.31 years [9.01, 9.62]; HWLE with obesity: 8.44 years [8.02, 8.86]; HWLE without physical inactivity: 9.62 years [9.32, 9.91]; HWLE with physical inactivity: 7.67 years [7.23, 8.12]). Workers without autonomy at work or with inadequate support at work were expected to lose 1.8 and 1.7 years respectively in work with good health from age 50 (HWLE for workers with autonomy: 9.50 years [9.20, 9.79]; HWLE for workers lacking autonomy: 7.67 years [7.22, 8.12]; HWLE for workers with support: 9.52 years [9.22, 9.82]; HWLE for workers with inadequate support: 7.86 years [7.22, 8.12]). This study identified demographic, health, physical activity, and workplace factors associated with lower HWLE and life expectancy at age 50. Identifying the extent of the impact on healthy working life highlights these factors as targets and the potential to mitigate against premature work exit is encouraging to policy-makers seeking to extend working life as well as people with musculoskeletal and mental health conditions and their employers. The HWLE gaps suggest that interventions are needed to promote the health, wellbeing and work outcomes of subpopulations with long-term health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marty Lynch
- School of Medicine, Keele University, David Weatherall Building, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 5BG, UK.
- MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Milica Bucknall
- School of Medicine, Keele University, David Weatherall Building, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Carol Jagger
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Andrew Kingston
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Ross Wilkie
- School of Medicine, Keele University, David Weatherall Building, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 5BG, UK
- MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Solovieva S, de Wind A, Undem K, Dudel C, Mehlum IS, van den Heuvel SG, Robroek SJW, Leinonen T. Socioeconomic differences in working life expectancy: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:735. [PMID: 38454363 PMCID: PMC10921693 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18229-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last decade, interest in working life expectancy (WLE) and socioeconomic differences in WLE has grown considerably. However, a comprehensive overview of the socioeconomic differences in WLE is lacking. The aim of this review is to systematically map the research literature to improve the insight on differences in WLE and healthy WLE (HWLE) by education, occupational class and income while using different ways of measuring and estimating WLE and to define future research needs. METHODS A systematic search was carried out in Web of Science, PubMed and EMBASE and complemented by relevant publications derived through screening of reference lists of the identified publications and expert knowledge. Reports on differences in WLE or HWLE by education, occupational class or income, published until November 2022, were included. Information on socioeconomic differences in WLE and HWLE was synthesized in absolute and relative terms. RESULTS A total of 26 reports from 21 studies on educational and occupational class differences in WLE or HWLE were included. No reports on income differences were found. On average, WLE in persons with low education is 30% (men) and 27% (women) shorter than in those with high education. The corresponding numbers for occupational class difference were 21% (men) and 27% (women). Low-educated persons were expected to lose more working years due to unemployment and disability retirement than high-educated persons. CONCLUSIONS The identified socioeconomic inequalities are highly relevant for policy makers and pose serious challenges for equitable pension policies. Many policy interventions aimed at increasing the length of working life follow a one-size-fits-all approach which does not take these inequalities into account. More research is needed on socioeconomic differences in HWLE and potential influences of income on working life duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Solovieva
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, Työterveyslaitos, Helsinki, 00032, Finland.
| | - Astrid de Wind
- Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Societal Participation and Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karina Undem
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christian Dudel
- Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
- Federal Institute for Population Research, Wiesbaden, Germany
- Max Planck - University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, Rostock, Germany
- Max Planck - University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ingrid S Mehlum
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Suzan J W Robroek
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Taina Leinonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, Työterveyslaitos, Helsinki, 00032, Finland
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Burdorf A, Fernandes RCP, Robroek SJW. Health and inclusive labour force participation. Lancet 2023; 402:1382-1392. [PMID: 37838443 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00868-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The future of work is rapidly changing, with higher flexibility of the labour market and increasing informal employment in many countries worldwide. There is also an increased pressure to extend working careers until older age. We introduce the concept of working life expectancy as a useful metric, capturing the expected numer of years in paid employment across the working age individuals, in particular among different groups. We describe factors that determine working life expectancy. Macro-level factors focus on the socioeconomic and political context that influences labour force participation, primarily policies and legislation in specific countries. At the meso level, employment contracts and working conditions are important. The micro level shows that individual characteristics, such as education, gender, and age, influence working careers. There are three important groups with a disadvantaged position in the labour market-workers with chronic diseases, workers with impairing disabilities, and workers aged 50 years or more. Within each of these disadvantaged groups, macro-level, meso-level, and micro-level factors that influence entering and exiting paid employment are discussed. To assure that paid employment is available for everyone of working age and that work contributes to better health, specific challenges need to be addressed at the macro, meso, and micro levels. To reach inclusive labour force participation, national policies, company practices, and workplace improvements need to be aligned to ensure safe and healthy workplaces that contribute to the health and wellbeing of workers and their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Burdorf
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Rita C P Fernandes
- Faculdade de Medicina da Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Suzan J W Robroek
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Alyousef YS, Johnston V, Smith MD. Work-related outcomes in individuals with and without lower limb osteoarthritis: an online survey. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1885. [PMID: 37773119 PMCID: PMC10540324 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16723-3] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While osteoarthritis (OA) affects people who are still participating in the workforce, there is limited data about the impact of OA on work. The aim of this study was to compare work participation in individuals with and without lower limb OA. METHODS This cross-sectional study included workers with (n = 124) and without (n = 106) lower limb OA. Work participation was assessed as work status (full/part time work), work ability (Work Ability Index (WAI)), absenteeism and presenteeism (World Health Organization's Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (WHO-HPQ)), and perceived difficulties meeting work demands (Work Role Functioning Questionnaire (WRFQ)). The data were analyzed using an analysis of covariance with age, body mass index and physical job demands included as covariates. RESULTS Work ability was poorer (p < 0.001) and loss of work performance (p < 0.001) was higher among workers with OA than healthy controls. There was no statistical difference in absenteeism or overall ability to meet work demands between participants with and without lower limb OA. However, workers with lower limb OA had more difficulty with work scheduling demands (p = 0.05) and physical demands (p = 0.003) than healthy workers. CONCLUSION Lower limb OA was associated with poorer work ability, loss of work performance and difficulty in meeting physical and work scheduling demands. Health professionals and employers should consider these challenges when managing individuals with lower limb OA and supporting them to remain in the workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef S Alyousef
- The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Physiotherapy, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Venerina Johnston
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
- School of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, QLD, Australia
| | - Michelle D Smith
- College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia.
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Hambisa MT, Tawiah R, Jagger C, Kiely KM. Gender, education, and cohort differences in healthy working life expectancy at age 50 years in Australia: a longitudinal analysis. Lancet Public Health 2023; 8:e610-e617. [PMID: 37516477 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(23)00129-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to estimate healthy working life expectancy (HWLE) at age 50 years by gender, cohort, and level of education in Australia. METHODS We analysed data from two nationally representative cohorts in the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. Each cohort was followed up annually from 2001 to 2010 and from 2011 to 2020. Poor health was defined by a self-reported, limiting, long-term health condition. Work was defined by current employment status. HWLEs were estimated with Interpolated Markov Chain multi-state modelling. FINDINGS We included data from 4951 participants in the cohort from 2001 to 2010 (2605 [53%] women and 2346 [47%] men; age range 50-100 years) and 6589 participants in the cohort from 2011 to 2020 (3518 [53%] women and 3071 [47%] men; age range 50-100 years). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Working life expectancy increased over time for all groups, regardless of gender or educational attainment. However, health expectancies only increased for men and people of either gender with higher education. Years working in good health at age 50 years for men were 9·9 years in 2001 (95% CI 9·3-10·4) and 10·8 years (10·4-11·3) in 2011. The corresponding HWLEs for women were 7·9 years (7·3-8·5) and 9·0 years (8·5-9·6). For people with low education level, HWLE was 7·9 years (7·3-8·5) in 2001 and 8·4 years (7·9-8·9) in 2011, and for those with high education level, HWLE rose from 9·6 years in 2001 (9·1-10·1) to 10·5 years in 2011 (10·2-10·9). Across all groups, there were at least 2·5 years working in poor health and 6·7 years not working in good health. INTERPRETATION Increases in length of working life have not been accompanied by similar gains in healthy life expectancy for women or people of any gender with low education, and it is not unusual for workers older than 50 years to work with long-term health limitations. Strategies to achieve longer working lives should address life-course inequalities in health and encourage businesses and organisations to recruit, train, and retain mature-age workers. FUNDING Australian Research Council.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitiku Teshome Hambisa
- Ageing Futures Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard Tawiah
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Carol Jagger
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Kim M Kiely
- Ageing Futures Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Sydney, Australia; School of Health and Society, and School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong, Australia.
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Takeuchi F, Takada M, Kobuna Y, Uchida H, Adachi Y. Effects of Non-Essential Amino Acids on Knee Joint Conditions in Adults: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14173628. [PMID: 36079884 PMCID: PMC9460309 DOI: 10.3390/nu14173628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Joint problems impair performance during exercise and daily activities and influence quality of life. The present study aimed to examine the effects of a combination of six non-essential amino acids (6AA) on joint conditions in an adult population. A total of 50 participants aged between 20 and 64 years with joint discomfort but no diagnosed joint disorder were randomly and blindly assigned to a control or 6AA group. The 6AA group took 12 g of the non-essential amino acid formulation orally (4 g three times a day) and the control group took equivalent doses of a placebo. Each group maintained the daily dose for 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures were evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM), and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (JOA). These tests were taken before the experiment began at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the intervention. The results of the VAS indicated that 6AA improved joint pain, discomfort, and stiffness both during a resting state and during normal activity. Participants' scores on the JKOM and JOA also showed significant improvements in the group that had taken the 6AA supplement. These results demonstrate that 6AA improves symptoms of joint problems, such as pain, discomfort, stiffness, and difficulty in performing daily activities after 4 weeks of daily consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumika Takeuchi
- Research Institute for Bioscience Products & Fine Chemicals, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Kawasaki 210-8681, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Michihiro Takada
- Research Institute for Bioscience Products & Fine Chemicals, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Kawasaki 210-8681, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasuo Kobuna
- Kobuna Orthopedic Clinic, Maebashi 371-081, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Uchida
- Sports Nutrition Department, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Chuo-ku, Tokyo 210-8681, Japan
| | - Yusuke Adachi
- Institute of Food Sciences and Technologies, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Kawasaki 210-8681, Kanagawa, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-70-4361-8307
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