Work, don’t retire, to stay healthier, according to Australian study

by William Atkins

Thursday, 31 July 2008

Page 1 of 2 ! A 2004-05 study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that workers have lower rates of arthritis and cardiovascular disease when compared to retirees--all in the same age range. Overall, older workers reported being in better general health than retirees. Health data and labor force statistics were taken from the "ABS 2004-05 National Health Survey" (NHS), along with other ABS surveys and reports. Their conclusions is part of the report “Health of Mature Age Workers in Australia: A Snapshot,” which was conducted on workers and retirees between the ages of 45 and 74 years. The Snapshot report specifically stated, “Ill health can impact on a person's quality of life and their ability to participate productively in the labour force. As people age, there is often an increase in the number of long-term conditions … they may have, with many conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and arthritis or osteoporosis particularly associated with older age groups. These diseases are three of eight conditions named as National Health Priority Areas (NHPAs) … – arthritis or osteoporosis and musculoskeletal conditions, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, injury, mental health and obesity - chosen because of their significant contribution to the burden of disease and injury in Australia.” In all, the ABS researchers looked at asthma, arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and mental health problems--the National Health Priority Areas (specifically because of their "burden of disease and injury in Australia"). They took into account people who were too sick to work, unable to work for physical reasons, not in the workforce, and other such related factors. They found, specifically, that arthritis and cardiovascular (heart) disease was found in about 25% of all older workers surveyed, while the two diseases were found in about 50% of retirees. In addition, only one in ten retirees were reported to be free of any of the eight chronic medical conditions. The study, however, found that approximately the same percentages of obesity and being overweight in workers and retirees. Denise Carlton, the ABS director of social statistics, stated, "Interestingly though, rates of obesity were pretty much the same regardless of whether you are working or not.” [The Age: “80% of older workers have disease: study”] Generally, 80% of older workers and 90% of retirees reported some type of chronic health condition. Overall, 56% of workers and 31% of retirees reported their health as being “very good” or “excellent.” Please read page two for additional information on the health of workers and retirees in Australia, which is probably also valid in other countries, too. << First page <   1 2 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>

 

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