Occupational Exposures Associated with Life Expectancy without and with Disability

Astrid de Wind, Ranu Sewdas, Emiel O. Hoogendijk, Allard J. van der Beek, Dorly J. H. Deeg and Cécile R. L. Boot
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Astrid de Wind: Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6500 Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Ranu Sewdas: Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Emiel O. Hoogendijk: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Allard J. van der Beek: Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dorly J. H. Deeg: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Cécile R. L. Boot: Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: Policies to extend working lives often do not take into account potentially important health inequalities arising from differences in occupational exposures. Little is known about which occupational exposures are associated with these inequalities. This study aims to examine differences in life expectancy without and with disability by occupational exposures. Longitudinal data (1992–2016) on disability and physical and psychosocial work demands and resources of 2513 (former) workers aged ≥55 years participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were used. Gender specific life expectancies without and with disability by occupational exposures were calculated using multistate survival models. Women aged 55 years with high physical work demands had a lower life expectancy without disability than those with low exposure (1.02–1.57 years), whereas there was no difference for men. Men and women with high psychosocial work demands and resources had a longer life expectancy without disability than those with low exposure (1.19–2.14 years). Life expectancy with disability did not significantly differ across occupational exposures. Workers with higher psychosocial demands and resources and lower physical demands can expect to live more disability-free years. Information on occupational exposure helps to identify workers at risk for lower life expectancy, especially without disability, who may need specific support regarding their work environment.

Keywords: healthy life expectancy; disability; occupational exposure; ageing; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6377-:d:407391

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