Work responsible for one out of five health problems
Foilsithe: 13 February 2005
In March 2002, among a working-age (15-64 years) population of 38 million people, 9.2 million reported having a long-term health problem or disability. Of the 8.3 million people who were actually in the labour market, 20% (1.7 million) stated that the problem was work-related.
One in four people aged between 15 and 64 years, who are in the labour market, report having a chronic health problem or disability. Back or limb problems are most commonly cited, particularly by farmers and blue-collar workers. Overall, 20% of people reporting a problem attribute it to their work, but this percentage rises to as much as 40% for those with back or limb problems.
In March 2002, among a working-age (15-64 years) population of 38 million people, 9.2 million reported having a long-term health problem or disability. Of the 8.3 million people who were actually in the labour market, 20% (1.7 million) stated that the problem was work-related.
| Number | Prevalence (% of people out of total population) | Frequency (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work accident | 449,000 | 1.4 | 5 |
| Illness attributed to work | 1,139,000 | 3.6 | 14 |
| Car accident in a journey between home and work | 102,000 | 0.3 | 1 |
| Total attributed to work | 1,690,000 | 5.3 | 20 |
| Total not attibuted to work | 6,602,000 | 20.6 | 80 |
| Total | 8,293,000 | 25.9 | 100 |
Source: INSEE (National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies) survey, 2002 Calculations by DARES
Back and upper limb problems
Some problems are more frequently attributed to work than others: 42% of people with ailments in the upper limbs, and 42% of those who suffer from back problems, put it down to their present or previous work. The same is true for 27% of people with pain in the lower limbs. Hearing difficulties as well as depression and other psychological troubles are also notably attributed to work (26% and 16% respectively).
More men (26%) than women (15%) identify work as the cause of their health problems.
Differences by occupational group
More than 30% of factory workers report having a health problem. Farmers are another high risk category at 27%, with craftsmen and shopkeepers at almost the same level (26%). In comparison, 18% of managers and professionals cite a chronic health problem. The differences are even more striking when looking exclusively at work-related health problems: these affect 8% of factory workers and farmers and 7% of craftsmen and shopkeepers, compared with just 2% of managers.
Farmers, craftsmen and factory workers suffer musculoskeletal disorders more than other occupational groups. Eye problems are most common among managers and professionals, while craftsmen and shopkeepers are most prone to heart or breathing problems. Depression is the predominant health problem among administrative staff.
Moreover, more than half of farmers, craftsmen and factory workers affected by musculoskeletal disorders attribute it to their work, while only 20% of managers do so. On the other hand, the latter are more likely (33%) to state that depression (or other psychological problems) is a result of their work. Only 12% of factory workers and 8% of farmers report work-related depression. However, both of these groups estimate that work is a significant factor in their lung and breathing problems.
Impact on working ability
Of the 8.3 million working people reporting a health problem or disability, 53% indicate that this problem limits the volume or nature of the work they can do, or their mobility in getting from home to work. Almost a quarter (24%) of people whose working ability is curtailed, attribute the ‘limiting’ health problem to their work, while work-related health problems represent 16% of ‘non limiting’ ailments. In other words, the work-related health problems result in more serious consequences for working ability than other kinds of health problems. Car accidents and work accidents have considerable consequences for working abilities: 80% and 75% of illnesses and injuries due to these causes limit working ability. This is much higher than health problems from birth or other illnesses not related to work (54% and 50%).
Reference
Source: DARES - Pemières Informations Premières synthèses n° 19.1 May 2004.
Further EU level research is available on the Foundation’s website concerning [health and well-being in the workplace](/search/node/ewco OR health OR ?oldIndex).
Molann Eurofound an foilsiúchán seo a lua ar an mbealach seo a leanas.
Eurofound (2005), Work responsible for one out of five health problems, article.
