Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers (2004) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-12
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From page 1... ...
Since the life expectancy of women exceeds that of men and the number of women exceeds the number of men at all age groups, the percentage of the population who are women age 45 and older is expected to grow faster than that of men. Furthermore, the number of ethnic minorities is increasing at a faster rate than the white population at all ages.
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From page 2... ...
Age-related changes that are most likely important to job exposures and job experience among older workers occur in the following organ systems: skeletal muscle, bone, vision, hearing, pulmonary function, skin, metabolism, and immunity. More generally, the slope of age-related changes in organs or systems declines at a greater rate with increasing age.
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From page 3... ...
Mental health problems with job implications include the consequences of work-related stress, clinical depression, and a variety of other psychological problems such as burnout, alcohol, and other substance abuse, unexplained physical symptoms, and chronic fatigue as well as the secondary consequences of these conditions, such as longer absences associated with injuries. Older workers may bring to the workplace mental health problems that have long histories and origins outside of the job setting.
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From page 4... ...
Gender influences social roles, the types of jobs people hold, the resulting work-related exposures, the patterns of work over the life course, consequent income differentials, and projected retirement experiences. During the second half of the 20th century, there was a decline in the labor force participation rate of older men and a rise in the labor force participation rate of women.
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From page 5... ...
The health effects of new organizational approaches such as lean production, total quality management, new team concepts, cellular or modular manufacturing, reengineering, high-performance work organizations, and patient-focused care are largely unknown for workers of any age, but some studies suggest increased health and safety risks. The extent to which and mechanisms whereby socioeconomic and demographic variables relate to the employment and retirement patterns of older workers and to their health is an area in need of targeted research.
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From page 6... ...
Among those occupations identified as older worker intensive, the following appear to represent higher risk for biomechanical exposures and, in some cases, additional hazardous exposures: administrative support; production/craft/repair; transportation and material moving; farming/ forestry/fishing; private household services; protective services; and services other, most of which are also projected to experience moderate to high growth in employment. Some changes in work organization also may have adverse health effects (e.g., musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular disease)
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From page 7... ...
Assessing the causes and extent of work-related injuries and illnesses or disorders and comparing health and safety risks across industries and occupations, for older versus younger workers of varying demographic characteristics and job histories, is hampered by limitations in existing data collection systems. Available data on occupational injuries and illnesses or disorders from BLS and workers' compensation systems reflect substantial underreporting, particularly with respect to occupational illness or disorder.
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From page 8... ...
Unlike most other industrialized countries, the United States does not provide universal health insurance to its citizens. In 1995, 72 percent of American workers between 18 and 64 had health insurance coverage under an employer-based plan, either through their own employer or through the employer of another family member; 18 percent of American workers were left totally uninsured.
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From page 9... ...
Although many of these efforts focus on preventing common diseases that are not uniquely caused by work, mitigating hazardous aspects of the work environment is an important example of health promotion. Attention to general health promotion programs is as relevant for older as for younger workers and may result in greater decrements in preventable disease rates per unit of resource expenditure for older workers, in part because chronic disease rates are higher at older ages.
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From page 10... ...
Conducting informative research requires improved databases and data systems necessary to track the health and safety needs of older workers and the programs that address them. · New longitudinal datasets should be developed that contain detailed information on workers' employment histories and the specific demands of their jobs, as well as objective information on the health and safety risks to workers in the job.
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From page 11... ...
and NIOSH should develop a survey supplement on work risk factors and occupational disorders for periodic inclusion in the National Health Interview Surveys. · The NCHS and NIOSH should collaborate in an effort to identify, using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, subpopulations of older workers where chemical exposure is likely to be an important work risk factor and to develop a list of chemicals to be included in surveys of such populations in the future.
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From page 12... ...
· Research should be conducted to assess the effectiveness, benefits, and costs of worksite health promotion programs and techniques tailored to older workers. · Research should be undertaken to assess the full (direct and indirect)
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