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Glynn LM, Liu SR, Lucas CT, Davis EP. Leveraging the science of early life predictability to inform policies promoting child health. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 69:101437. [PMID: 39260117 PMCID: PMC11415967 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2024.101437] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Addressing the tremendous burden of early-life adversity requires constructive dialogues between scientists and policy makers to improve population health. Whereas dialogues focused on several aspects of early-life adversity have been initiated, discussion of an underrecognized form of adversity that has been observed across multiple contexts and cultures is only now emerging. Here we provide evidence for "why unpredictability?", including: 1. Evidence that exposures to unpredictability affect child neurodevelopment, with influences that persist into adulthood. 2. The existence of a translational non-human animal model of exposure to early life unpredictability that can be capitalized upon to causally probe neurobiological mechanisms. 3. Evidence that patterns of signals in the early environment promote brain maturation across species. 4. The uneven distribution of unpredictability across demographic populations that illuminates a possible focal point for enhancing health equity. We then outline the potential of unpredictability in terms of the "what"; that is, how might the concept of unpredictability be leveraged to inform policy? We emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary and community partnerships to the success of this work and describe our community-engaged research project. Finally, we highlight opportunities for the science of unpredictability to inform policies in areas such as screening, immigration, criminal justice, education, childcare, child welfare, employment, healthcare and housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Glynn
- Department of Psychology, Chapman University, United States.
| | - Sabrina R Liu
- Department of Human Development, California State University San Marcos, United States
| | | | - Elysia Poggi Davis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Irvine, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Denver, United States
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Davis EP, Glynn LM. Annual Research Review: The power of predictability - patterns of signals in early life shape neurodevelopment and mental health trajectories. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024; 65:508-534. [PMID: 38374811 PMCID: PMC11283837 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13958] [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] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The global burden of early life adversity (ELA) is profound. The World Health Organization has estimated that ELA accounts for almost 30% of all psychiatric cases. Yet, our ability to identify which individuals exposed to ELA will develop mental illness remains poor and there is a critical need to identify underlying pathways and mechanisms. This review proposes unpredictability as an understudied aspect of ELA that is tractable and presents a conceptual model that includes biologically plausible mechanistic pathways by which unpredictability impacts the developing brain. The model is supported by a synthesis of published and new data illustrating the significant impacts of patterns of signals on child development. We begin with an overview of the existing unpredictability literature, which has focused primarily on longer patterns of unpredictability (e.g. years, months, and days). We then describe our work testing the impact of patterns of parental signals on a moment-to-moment timescale, providing evidence that patterns of these signals during sensitive windows of development influence neurocircuit formation across species and thus may be an evolutionarily conserved process that shapes the developing brain. Next, attention is drawn to emerging themes which provide a framework for future directions of research including the evaluation of functions, such as effortful control, that may be particularly vulnerable to unpredictability, sensitive periods, sex differences, cross-cultural investigations, addressing causality, and unpredictability as a pathway by which other forms of ELA impact development. Finally, we provide suggestions for prevention and intervention, including the introduction of a screening instrument for the identification of children exposed to unpredictable experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elysia Poggi Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Laura M. Glynn
- Department of Psychology, Chapman University, Orange, CA, United States
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Harknett K, O'Herron C, Bellew E. Can't Catch a Break: Intersectional Inequalities at Work. SOCIOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2024; 11:233-257. [PMID: 38693913 PMCID: PMC11062619 DOI: 10.15195/v11.a10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
The labor market is the site of longstanding and persistent inequalities across race and gender groups in hiring, compensation, and advancement. In this paper, we draw on data from 13,574 hourly service-sector workers to extend the study of intersectional labor market inequalities to workers' experience on the job. In the service sector, where workers are regularly expected to be on their feet for long hours and to contend with workloads that are intense and unrelenting, regular break time is an essential component of job quality and general well-being. Yet, we find that Black women are less likely than their counterparts to get a break during their work shift. Although union membership and laws mandating work breaks are effective in increasing access to breaks for workers overall, they do not ameliorate the inequality Black women face in access to work breaks within the service sector. A sobering implication is that worker power and labor protections can raise the floor on working conditions but leave inequalities intact. Our findings also have implications for racial health inequalities, as the routine daily stress of service sector takes a disproportionate toll on the health of Black women.
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Sprajcer M, Ferguson SA, Dawson D. How much advance notice do workers need? A review and theoretical framework for determining advance notice periods for unpredictable work. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2024; 62:2-19. [PMID: 36948632 PMCID: PMC10865088 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2022-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory guidance materials for fatigue management typically advise that employees be provided with days or weeks of advance notice of schedules/rosters. However, the scientific evidence underpinning this advice is unclear. A systematic search was performed on current peer reviewed literature addressing advance notice periods, which found three relevant studies. A subsequent search of grey literature to determine the quality of evidence for the recommendation for advance notice periods returned 37 relevant documents. This review found that fatigue management guidance materials frequently advocated advance notice for work shifts but did not provide empirical evidence to underpin the advice. Although it is logical to suggest that longer notice periods may result in increased opportunities for pre-work preparations, improved sleep, and reduced worker fatigue, the current guidance appears to be premised on this reasoning rather than empirical evidence. Paradoxically, it is possible that advance notice could be counterproductive, as too much may result in frequent alterations to the schedule, particularly where adjustments to start and end times of the work period are not uncommon (e.g., road transport, rail). To assist organisations in determining the appropriate amount of advance notice to provide, we propose a novel theoretical framework to conceptualise advance notice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Drew Dawson
- Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University, Australia
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Acosta N, Dai X, Bautista MA, Waddell BJ, Lee J, Du K, McCalder J, Pradhan P, Papparis C, Lu X, Chekouo T, Krusina A, Southern D, Williamson T, Clark RG, Patterson RA, Westlund P, Meddings J, Ruecker N, Lammiman C, Duerr C, Achari G, Hrudey SE, Lee BE, Pang X, Frankowski K, Hubert CRJ, Parkins MD. Wastewater-based surveillance can be used to model COVID-19-associated workforce absenteeism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165172. [PMID: 37379934 PMCID: PMC10292917 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) of infectious diseases is a powerful tool for understanding community COVID-19 disease burden and informing public health policy. The potential of WBS for understanding COVID-19's impact in non-healthcare settings has not been explored to the same degree. Here we examined how SARS-CoV-2 measured from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) correlates with workforce absenteeism. SARS-CoV-2 RNA N1 and N2 were quantified three times per week by RT-qPCR in samples collected at three WWTPs servicing Calgary and surrounding areas, Canada (1.4 million residents) between June 2020 and March 2022. Wastewater trends were compared to workforce absenteeism using data from the largest employer in the city (>15,000 staff). Absences were classified as being COVID-19-related, COVID-19-confirmed, and unrelated to COVID-19. Poisson regression was performed to generate a prediction model for COVID-19 absenteeism based on wastewater data. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 95.5 % (85/89) of weeks assessed. During this period 6592 COVID-19-related absences (1896 confirmed) and 4524 unrelated absences COVID-19 cases were recorded. A generalized linear regression using a Poisson distribution was performed to predict COVID-19-confirmed absences out of the total number of absent employees using wastewater data as a leading indicator (P < 0.0001). The Poisson regression with wastewater as a one-week leading signal has an Akaike information criterion (AIC) of 858, compared to a null model (excluding wastewater predictor) with an AIC of 1895. The likelihood-ratio test comparing the model with wastewater signal with the null model shows statistical significance (P < 0.0001). We also assessed the variation of predictions when the regression model was applied to new data, with the predicted values and corresponding confidence intervals closely tracking actual absenteeism data. Wastewater-based surveillance has the potential to be used by employers to anticipate workforce requirements and optimize human resource allocation in response to trackable respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Acosta
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Xiaotian Dai
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Maria A Bautista
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Barbara J Waddell
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jangwoo Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Kristine Du
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Janine McCalder
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Puja Pradhan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Chloe Papparis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Xuewen Lu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Thierry Chekouo
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada; Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Alexander Krusina
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Danielle Southern
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Tyler Williamson
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Rhonda G Clark
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Raymond A Patterson
- Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, SH 250, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | | | - Jon Meddings
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Norma Ruecker
- Water Services, City of Calgary, 625 25 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta T2G 4k8, Canada
| | - Christopher Lammiman
- Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), City of Calgary, 673 1 St NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6R2, Canada
| | - Coby Duerr
- Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), City of Calgary, 673 1 St NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 6R2, Canada
| | - Gopal Achari
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, 622 Collegiate Pl NW, T2N 4V8, Canada
| | - Steve E Hrudey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Bonita E Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Women & Children's Health Research Institute, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Xiaoli Pang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health Laboratory, Alberta Health Services, 116 St. and 85 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Kevin Frankowski
- Advancing Canadian Water Assets, University of Calgary, 3131 210 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta T0L 0X0, Canada
| | - Casey R J Hubert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Michael D Parkins
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Abrams LR, Berkman LF. Quantifying the Contribution of Work Characteristics to Educational Disparities in Health-Induced Work Limitations. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:1957-1964. [PMID: 37587022 PMCID: PMC10645315 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbad112] [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: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To quantify how poor health and inhospitable working conditions each contribute to educational disparities in work disability in midlife and old age. METHODS We used the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2016) to examine educational disparities in reporting "any impairment or health problem that limits the kind or amount of paid work" in ages 51-80. RESULTS We found disparities to be profound and persistent over time. Blinder-Oaxaca threefold decomposition revealed that distributions of income and employer insurance made the largest contribution to explaining different rates of work limitations among respondents with versus without high school degrees, followed by work characteristics (physical job demands, insufficient hours) and health conditions (diabetes, lung disease). Comparing respondents with high school versus college degrees, distributions of health conditions mattered most (high blood pressure, lung disease, heart disease, stroke), followed by health behaviors (smoking, drinking). Health-induced work limitations are often used as a measure of health, but we found that work characteristics explained 57% of the disadvantage of those without a high school degree and 44% of the disadvantage of high school compared to college graduates. DISCUSSION Work environments appear to play an important role in educational disparities in mid- to late-life disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah R Abrams
- Department of Community Health, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisa F Berkman
- Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Wu J, Zhang B, Zhou S, Huang Z, Xu Y, Lu X, Zheng X, Ouyang D. Associations between gut microbiota and sleep: a two-sample, bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1236847. [PMID: 37645227 PMCID: PMC10461450 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1236847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Previous research has reported that the gut microbiota performs an essential role in sleep through the microbiome-gut-brain axis. However, the causal association between gut microbiota and sleep remains undetermined. Methods We performed a two-sample, bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genome-wide association study summary data of gut microbiota and self-reported sleep traits from the MiBioGen consortium and UK Biobank to investigate causal relationships between 119 bacterial genera and seven sleep-associated traits. We calculated effect estimates by using the inverse-variance weighted (as the main method), maximum likelihood, simple model, weighted model, weighted median, and MR-Egger methods, whereas heterogeneity and pleiotropy were detected and measured by the MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier method, Cochran's Q statistics, and MR-Egger regression. Results In forward MR analysis, inverse-variance weighted estimates concluded that the genetic forecasts of relative abundance of 42 bacterial genera had causal effects on sleep-associated traits. In the reverse MR analysis, sleep-associated traits had a causal effect on 39 bacterial genera, 13 of which overlapped with the bacterial genera in the forward MR analysis. Discussion In conclusion, our research indicates that gut microbiota may be involved in the regulation of sleep, and conversely, changes in sleep-associated traits may also alter the abundance of gut microbiota. These findings suggest an underlying reciprocal causal association between gut microbiota and sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Baofu Zhang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shengjie Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taizhou Women and Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ziyi Huang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yindong Xu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xinwu Lu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangtao Zheng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dong Ouyang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taizhou Women and Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
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Hawkinson CB, Andrea SB, Hajat A, Minh A, Owens S, Blaikie K, Seiler J, Molino AR, Oddo VM. A cross-sectional analysis of work schedule notice and depressive symptoms in the United States. SSM Popul Health 2023; 22:101413. [PMID: 37223751 PMCID: PMC10200964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The implementation of last-minute work scheduling practices, including fluctuations in work hours, shift cancellations, and short notice, reflects a new norm in employment in the United States. This study aimed to investigate whether work schedule notice of ≤2 weeks was associated with high depressive symptoms. We used data from the 2019 cycle of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (N = 4963 adults aged 37-42 years). Using adjusted gender-stratified modified Poisson models, we tested the association between schedule notice (≤2 weeks, >2 weeks, consistent scheduling) and high depressive symptoms. Presence of high depressive symptoms was assessed using the 7-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Short-Form scale and defined as CES-D-SF ≥8. Respondents reporting >2 weeks schedule notice (versus ≤2 weeks) were disproportionately non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic and resided in the South and/or in a rural area. High depressive symptoms were 39% more prevalent among women with schedule notice of ≤2 weeks compared to those with >2 weeks notice (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 1.39, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.07, 1.80). We did not observe an association among men (PR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.75, 1.50). Schedule notice of ≤2 weeks was associated with a greater burden of high depressive symptoms among US women. Policies to reduce precarious work scheduling practices should be further evaluated for their impacts on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anjum Hajat
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anita Minh
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Seattle, WA, USA
- University of British Columbia, Department of Sociology, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shanise Owens
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Health Systems and Population Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kieran Blaikie
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jessie Seiler
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrea R. Molino
- University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Vanessa M. Oddo
- University of Illinois Chicago, Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition, Chicago, IL, USA
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Chaput JP, McHill AW, Cox RC, Broussard JL, Dutil C, da Costa BGG, Sampasa-Kanyinga H, Wright KP. The role of insufficient sleep and circadian misalignment in obesity. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:82-97. [PMID: 36280789 PMCID: PMC9590398 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-022-00747-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 130.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Traditional risk factors for obesity and the metabolic syndrome, such as excess energy intake and lack of physical activity, cannot fully explain the high prevalence of these conditions. Insufficient sleep and circadian misalignment predispose individuals to poor metabolic health and promote weight gain and have received increased research attention in the past 10 years. Insufficient sleep is defined as sleeping less than recommended for health benefits, whereas circadian misalignment is defined as wakefulness and food intake occurring when the internal circadian system is promoting sleep. This Review discusses the impact of insufficient sleep and circadian misalignment in humans on appetite hormones (focusing on ghrelin, leptin and peptide-YY), energy expenditure, food intake and choice, and risk of obesity. Some potential strategies to reduce the adverse effects of sleep disruption on metabolic health are provided and future research priorities are highlighted. Millions of individuals worldwide do not obtain sufficient sleep for healthy metabolic functions. Furthermore, modern working patterns, lifestyles and technologies are often not conducive to adequate sleep at times when the internal physiological clock is promoting it (for example, late-night screen time, shift work and nocturnal social activities). Efforts are needed to highlight the importance of optimal sleep and circadian health in the maintenance of metabolic health and body weight regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Chaput
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Andrew W McHill
- Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory, School of Nursing, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Rebecca C Cox
- Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Josiane L Broussard
- Sleep and Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Caroline Dutil
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bruno G G da Costa
- Research Center in Physical Activity and Health, Department of Physical Education, School of Sports, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Hugues Sampasa-Kanyinga
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kenneth P Wright
- Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Abrams LR, Harknett K, Schneider D. Older Workers With Unpredictable Schedules: Implications for Well-Being and Job Retention. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2022; 62:1443-1453. [PMID: 35583307 PMCID: PMC9710238 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac067] [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: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES A substantial portion of the service sector workforce is middle-aged or older, but little is known about the scheduling conditions of these older workers. This study describes the quality of work schedules in the service sector by age and tests associations of unpredictable schedules with well-being and job retention among workers ages 50-80. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Shift Project collected survey data on detailed working conditions and health from 121,408 service sector workers, recruited in 2017-2020 using social media advertisements. Survey weights aligned sample demographics with the American Community Survey, and multiple imputation addressed missingness. Ordinary least squares regression models were used to examine associations between age and schedule stability, and ordinary least squares, ordinal logit, and logit regression models tested associations between schedule stability and well-being and job retention outcomes for older workers. RESULTS Scheduling conditions were more stable and predictable for older compared to younger workers; however, more than 80% of workers ages 50-80 experienced one or more types of routine schedule instability. Among workers ages 50-80, unpredictable schedules were associated with psychological distress, poor-quality sleep, work-family conflict, economic insecurity, job dissatisfaction, and intentions to look for a new job. Canceled and back-to-back closing and opening ("clopening") shifts were most strongly associated with negative outcomes. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Policies aimed at improving scheduling conditions hold promise to benefit older service workers' well-being. As the population ages, improving work schedules in the years approaching retirement may be important to longer working lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah R Abrams
- Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kristen Harknett
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel Schneider
- Harvard Kennedy School and Department of Sociology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Backhaus N. Working Time Control and Variability in Europe Revisited: Correlations with Health, Sleep, and Well-Being. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14778. [PMID: 36429495 PMCID: PMC9690100 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Working time control (WTC) and working time variability (WTV) are two important dimensions of working times, especially with regard to the dynamics of irregular working hours in a changing world of work. Both dimensions are closely related, and the terms are sometimes used synonymously. However, a high degree of WTC does not automatically lead to variable or irregular working hours. On the contrary, WTV is often imposed by the employer and does not necessarily occur in conjunction with high WTC. This article gives an overview of different European WTC and WTV regimes using a typological approach. Based on the European Working Conditions Survey 2015 (EWCS, n = 27,607), four employee groups are compared: those with (1) high WTC and high WTV, (2) high WTC and low WTV, (3) low WTC and high WTV, and (4) low WTC and low WTV. Firstly, the analyses aim to assess whether WTC and WTV vary across European countries due to different working time regimes and in different occupational sectors, i.e., hospitality, retail, and health and social work. Secondly, multi-level analyses are used to describe correlations with health (self-rated health, psychosomatic complaints), sleep (sleep problems), and well-being (WHO-5-Scale). The analyses suggest that WTC and WTV differ between European countries: in the northern countries, high WTC/high WTV is most prevalent, whereas low WTV/low WTC is more common in the other countries. As far as employee health and sleep are concerned, high WTV is associated with poor health, i.e., a greater number of psychosomatic health complaints, worse self-rated health status, and more sleep problems. However, the correlation appears to be weaker for psychosomatic health complaints when employees have high WTC. Significant correlations could not be found for WTC. Low WTC and high WTV is more common in occupational sectors in hospitality, retail, and health and social care; however, these occupational sectors show the same correlations regarding health, sleep, and well-being. The analyses indicate that it is crucial to consider WTV and WTC together in order to understand the dynamics of irregular working hours and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Backhaus
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Friedrich-Henkel-Weg 1-25, 44149 Dortmund, Germany
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Hegland TA, Berdahl TA. High Job Flexibility And Paid Sick Leave Increase Health Care Access And Use Among US Workers. HEALTH AFFAIRS (PROJECT HOPE) 2022; 41:873-882. [PMID: 35666975 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Job flexibility is an important yet underresearched aspect of work that has implications for health care access and use. This study explored the impact of job flexibility, including both its informal aspects and access to paid sick leave, on health care access and use. We analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of US workers responding to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Household Component during 2017-19, combined with occupational data from the Occupational Information Network database, version 25.0. Results showed that a one-unit increase in job flexibility was associated with a 2.15-percentage-point increase in the likelihood of having an office-based health care visit in the past year and a 2.42-percentage-point increase in the likelihood of having a usual source of care. Access to paid sick leave was associated with a 3.83-percentage-point increase in the likelihood of having an office-based health care visit. Black and Hispanic workers, as well as workers with low-wage jobs, had less job flexibility and less access to paid sick leave. Reforms that increase job flexibility and efforts by health care providers to better accommodate people with inflexible jobs could improve access, utilization, and equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Hegland
- Thomas A. Hegland , Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland
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