Older men, work and health

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) 2010-05, Vol.60 (3), p.178-183
• Main Authors: Granville, G., Evandrou, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; African Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Age Factors; Aged; Aging - physiology; Aging - psychology; Asbestosis - epidemiology; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Biological and medical sciences; Employment; Employment - organization & administration; Employment - statistics & numerical data; European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; gender; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; health promotion; Health Promotion - organization & administration; Humans; identity; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Occupational Health; Occupational medicine; older men; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; United Kingdom - epidemiology; workplace health
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqq027

Aims To consider the complex interrelationships between work and health among older men, drawing out the importance of considering gender difference in approaches to occupational medicine. Methods The method used in the literature search was to review national and international research published in English since 1990 on the health and work of older men. Journal articles were the primary source. Databases used included Web of Science, CSA Illumina Social Sciences, CINAHL, Medline and ANGINFO. Results The review of the evidence was structured in terms of key themes emerging from the literature into which issues of gender, ethnicity, age and socio-economic inequalities were cross cut. The current paper now focuses on two of those themes that have particular relevance to occupational medicine: work-caused and work-related ill-health, and secondly promoting workplace health. It begins by setting the scene with a profile of older men in the labour market. Conclusions Two key themes emerge from the review, which are of particular significance. One is the central role that work plays in the lives and identity of men and therefore the impact this has on their health, both in and out of work. Secondly, the occupational histories of men expose them to work-related and work-caused ill-health, which has consequences for life expectancy and chronic disease in old age. These findings have implications for future research, policy formulation and implementation, and for public health practice.