Abstract
Ageing is accompanied by a general decline in physical health and a rise in chronic health problems . The increasing rate of workforce ageing and prolonged work life are likely to result in more workers working at older ages with potential diseases and disabilities. This study aims to examine the relationships between a series of chronic health problems and occupational safety risks of older workers using the meta-analysis technique. Literature search was conducted through Google Scholar. Literature published in the last 30 years (from 1989 to 2019) was collected. Eighteen journal articles were included. Sixty records were extracted from these studies. The overall effect size indicated that the odds ratio of occurrence of occupational accidents for older workers with chronic health problems is 1.455 times as high as those without any health problems included. The aggregated effect sizes of 12 categories of health problems showed that older workers with hearing impairment, visual impairment, musculoskeletal disorder, obesity, urogenital problems, chronic bronchitis/emphysema, substance abuse, or not specified health problems suffer significantly higher occupational safety risks than those without such health problems. However, the aggregated odds ratios for cancers, cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and neurotic disorders showed insignificant associations of these diseases with the adverse safety outcomes of older workers. In addition, type of health problem, gender, and cutoff age moderated the focused relationships. Policies related to ageing workforce, e.g., prolonging work life, should consider chronic health problems concerning older workers protection from occupational safety risks.
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Appendix 1
Appendix 1
Details of Records Included in the Meta-Analysis
Study name | Health problem | Category of problem | Odds ratio | Lower limit | Upper limit | Sample size | Data collection method | Gender | Country | Occupation | Cutoff age |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baidwan et al. (2018) | Chronic physical health conditions | Not specified | 1.422 | 1.114 | 1.815 | 7212 | Using data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study from 2004 to 2014 | Both | US | Cross-occupation | 50 |
Browning et al. (1998) | Hearing | Hearing | 1.436 | 0.918 | 2.245 | 998 | By telephone survey | Both | US | Farming | 55 |
Browning et al. (1998)-1 | Vision | Vision | 1.592 | 0.881 | 2.878 | 998 | By telephone survey | Both | US | Farming | 55 |
Browning et al. (1998)-2 | Arthritis | Musculoskeletal | 1.170 | 0.755 | 1.813 | 998 | By telephone survey | Both | US | Farming | 55 |
Chau et al. (2009) | Obesity | Obesity | 2.200 | 1.113 | 4.350 | 2888 | By postal questionnaire | Both | France | Cross-occupation | 45 |
Chau et al. (2009)-1 | Alcohol abuse | Substance abuse | 1.800 | 1.081 | 2.997 | 2888 | By postal questionnaire | Both | France | Cross-occupation | 45 |
Chau et al. (2009)-2 | Musculoskeletal disorders | Musculoskeletal | 3.500 | 1.864 | 6.572 | 2888 | By postal questionnaire | Both | France | Cross-occupation | 45 |
Chau et al. (2009)-3 | Hearing | Hearing | 1.000 | 0.513 | 1.949 | 2888 | By postal questionnaire | Both | France | Cross- occupation | 45 |
Chau et al. (2009)-4 | Visual | Vision | 1.300 | 0.749 | 2.257 | 2888 | By postal questionnaire | Both | France | Cross-occupation | 45 |
Fraade-Blanar et al. (2017) | Hearing | Hearing | 0.801 | 0.572 | 1.120 | 5586 | Using data from Health and Retirement Study from 2010 to 2014 | Both | US | Cross-occupation | 50 |
Fraade-Blanar et al. (2017)-1 | Vision | Vision | 0.863 | 0.642 | 1.160 | 5586 | Using data from Health and Retirement Study from 2010 to 2014 | Both | US | Cross-occupation | 50 |
Heaton et al. (2010) | Arthritis | Musculoskeletal | 2.060 | 1.270 | 3.341 | 1423 | Using mailed and telephonic surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Heaton et al. (2012) | Arthritis/rheumatism | Musculoskeletal | 1.940 | 1.409 | 2.671 | 1419 | Using telephoned or mailed surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Heaton et al. (2012)-1 | Mobility problems | Musculoskeletal | 2.071 | 1.485 | 2.888 | 1419 | Using telephoned or mailed surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Janssen et al. (2011) | Obese | Obesity | 1.960 | 1.109 | 3.465 | 7678 | By home or telephone interview | Both | Canada | Cross-occupation | 40 |
Kunar et al. (2010) | Presence of disease | Not specified | 2.480 | 1..491 | 4.124 | 2376 | By face-to-face interview and questionnaire | Male | India | Mining | 45 |
Marcum et al. (2011) | Hearing | Hearing | 1.630 | 1.230 | 2.160 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-1 | Vision | Vision | 1.380 | 1.073 | 1.775 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-2 | Arthritis | Musculoskeletal | 1.680 | 1.319 | 2.139 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-3 | Carpal tunnel | Musculoskeletal | 1.600 | 0.972 | 2.635 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-4 | Back problems | Musculoskeletal | 1.800 | 1.369 | 2.367 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-5 | Heart attack | Cardiovascular | 1.190 | 0.888 | 1.596 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-6 | Stroke | Cardiovascular | 1.270 | 0.857 | 1.883 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-7 | High blood pressure | Cardiovascular | 1.060 | 0.851 | 1.321 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-8 | Chronic bronchitis or emphysema | Chronic bronchitis or emphysema | 2.360 | 1.534 | 3.630 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-9 | Osteoporosis | Musculoskeletal | 0.740 | 0.48 | 1.140 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-10 | Skin cancer | Cancer | 1.510 | 0.979 | 2.328 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-11 | Other cancers | Cancer | 1.240 | 0.759 | 2.027 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-12 | Incontinence | Urogenital | 1.370 | 0.845 | 2.222 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Both | US | Farming | 50 |
Marcum et al. (2011)-13 | Prostate problems | Urogenital | 1.330 | 0.873 | 2.027 | 1394 | By telephone and mail surveys | Male | US | Farming | 50 |
Mick et al. (2018) | Hearing | Hearing | 1.539 | 1.239 | 1.912 | 107352 | Using data from the 1999 to 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys–Household Component (MEPS-HC) | Both | US | Cross-occupation | 50 |
Pollack et al. (1998) | Substance abuse | Substance abuse | 0.776 | 0.277 | 2.172 | 7895 | Using the workers’ compensation records from 1990 to 1991 | Both | US | Construction | 45 |
Price et al. (2012) | Disabilities | Not specified | 3.009 | 2.075 | 4.365 | 183676 | Using 2006 to 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data | Both | US | Cross-occupation | 55 |
Shi et al. (2015)-a | Disabilities | Not specified | 1.987 | 1.582 | 2.495 | 604134 | Using 1997 to 2011 NHIS data | Both | US | Cross-occupation | 55 |
Shi et al. (2015)-b | Persistent disabilities | Not specified | 2.121 | 1.811 | 2.485 | 51254 | Using data from Medical Expenditure Panels Survey 2004 to 2011 | Both | US | Cross-occupation | 45 |
Voaklander et al. (2006) | Vision | Vision | 1.030 | 0.738 | 1.437 | 1692 | Using data from Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Voaklander et al. (2006)-1 | Incontinence/urinary tract disorders | Urogenital | 2.150 | 1.108 | 4.172 | 1692 | Using data from CIHI | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Voaklander et al. (2006)-2 | Osteoarthritis | Musculoskeletal | 1.570 | 1.151 | 2.142 | 1692 | Using data from CIHI | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Voaklander et al. (2006)-3 | Neurotic disorder | Neurotic disorder | 1.080 | 0.679 | 1.718 | 1692 | Using data from CIHI | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Voaklander et al. (2006)-4 | Osteoporosis | Musculoskeletal | 4.290 | 1.442 | 12.77 | 1692 | Using data from CIHI | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Voaklander et al. (2006)-5 | Hypertension | Cardiovascular | 0.750 | 0.548 | 1.026 | 1692 | Using data from CIHI | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Voaklander et al. (2006)-6 | Cardiovascular disease | Cardiovascular | 0.970 | 0.691 | 1.362 | 1692 | Using data from CIHI | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Voaklander et al. (2006)-7 | Diabetes | Diabetes | 1.110 | 0.685 | 1.798 | 1692 | Using data from CIHI | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Voaklander et al. (2006)-8 | Cancer | Cancer | 0.680 | 0.433 | 1.068 | 1692 | Using data from CIHI | Male | Canada | Farming | 66 |
Xiang et al. (1999) | High blood pressure | Cardiovascular | 0.374 | 0.117 | 1.193 | 113 | By telephone survey from 1993 to 1995 | Male | US | Farming | 60 |
Xiang et al. (1999)-1 | Heart disease | Cardiovascular | 0.306 | 0.037 | 2.510 | 113 | By telephone survey from 1993 to 1995 | Male | US | Farming | 60 |
Xiang et al. (1999)-2 | Back pain | Musculoskeletal | 2.128 | 0.704 | 6.434 | 113 | By telephone survey from 1993 to 1995 | Male | US | Farming | 60 |
Xiang et al. (1999)-3 | Arthritis | Musculoskeletal | 0.970 | 0.398 | 2.366 | 113 | By telephone survey from 1993 to 1995 | Male | US | Farming | 60 |
Xiang et al. (1999)-4 | Hearing | Hearing | 1.953 | 0.777 | 4.906 | 113 | By telephone survey from 1993 to 1995 | Male | US | Farming | 60 |
Xiang et al. (1999)-5 | Cancer | Cancer | 2.348 | 0.626 | 8.805 | 113 | By telephone survey from 1993 to 1995 | Male | US | Farming | 60 |
Zwerling et al. (1996) | Obesity | Obesity | 1.290 | 1.009 | 1.649 | 6854 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1993 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1996)-1 | Vision | Vision | 2.010 | 1.488 | 2.716 | 6854 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1993 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1996)-2 | Hearing | Hearing | 2.080 | 1.593 | 2.715 | 6854 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1993 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1996)-3 | Alcohol dependence | Substance abuse | 1.950 | 1.271 | 2.992 | 6854 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1993 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1996)-4 | Disabled from work | Not specified | 1.540 | 1.019 | 2.328 | 6854 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1993 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1998) | Obesity | Obesity | 1.420 | 1.074 | 1.877 | 5600 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1994 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1998)-1 | Vision | Vision | 1.810 | 1.229 | 2.667 | 5600 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1994 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1998)-2 | Hearing | Hearing | 1.720 | 1.229 | 2.408 | 5600 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1994 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1998)-3 | Alcohol dependence | Substance Abuse | 1.420 | 0.911 | 2.213 | 5600 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1994 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
Zwerling et al. (1998)-4 | Disabled from work | Not specified | 1.740 | 1.253 | 2.416 | 5600 | Using data from the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 1994 | Both | US | Non-farming | 51 |
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Peng, L., Yu, R.W.L., Chan, A.H.S., Yim, H.P. (2020). Chronic Health Problems of Older Workers and Their Occupational Safety: A Meta-Analysis. In: Gao, Q., Zhou, J. (eds) Human Aspects of IT for the Aged Population. Healthy and Active Aging. HCII 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12208. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50249-2_27
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