A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Occupational and educational inequalities in exit from employment at older ages: evidence from seven prospective cohorts
Authors: Carr E, Fleischmann M, Goldberg M, Kuh D, Murray ET, Stafford M, Stansfeld S, Vahtera J, Xue BW, Zaninotto P, Zins M, Head J
Publisher: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP
Publication year: 2018
Journal: Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Journal name in source: OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
Journal acronym: OCCUP ENVIRON MED
Volume: 75
Issue: 5
First page : 369
Last page: 377
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 1351-0711
eISSN: 1470-7926
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2017-104619
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/31089099
Objectives Past studies have identified socioeconomic inequalities in the timing and route of labour market exit at older ages. However, few studies have compared these trends cross-nationally and existing evidence focuses on specific institutional outcomes (such as disability pension and sickness absence) in Nordic countries. We examined differences by education level and occupational grade in the risks of work exit and health-related work exit.Methods Prospective longitudinal data were drawn from seven studies (n=99164). Participants were in paid work at least once around age 50. Labour market exit was derived based on reductions in working hours, changes in self-reported employment status or from administrative records. Health-related exit was ascertained by receipt of health-related benefit or pension or from the reported reason for stopping work. Cox regression models were estimated for each study, adjusted for baseline self-rated health and birth cohort.Results There were 50003 work exits during follow-up, of which an average of 14% (range 2-32%) were health related. Low level education and low occupational grade were associated with increased risks of health-related exit in most studies. Low level education and occupational grade were also associated with an increased risk of any exit from work, although with less consistency across studies.Conclusions Workers with low socioeconomic position have an increased risk of health-related exit from employment. Policies that extend working life may disadvantage such workers disproportionally, especially where institutional support for those exiting due to poor health is minimal.
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