Work and health in Gnosjö: a longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The Gnosjö municipality in southern Sweden has a high proportion of manufacturing industry workers.
• Previous research indicates a link between work environment and health outcomes, but gender-specific analyses are often limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine associations between physical and psychological work stress, sickness absence, and cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases.
• To explore these associations from a gender perspective within a specific Swedish population.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study using questionnaire data (1998) on working conditions and life aspects.
• Register data (1999-2001) on sickness absence, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases.
• Analysis focused on psychosocial factors (demand, control), employment status, sense of coherence, lifestyle, and physical work environment factors.

Main Results:

• Psychosocial factors, particularly job demand and control, significantly impacted sickness absence.
• Job demand and control were associated with musculoskeletal health in women but not men.
• Low sense of coherence affected both sickness absence and musculoskeletal health.
• Cardiovascular diseases in women were linked to job demand/control and lifestyle factors.

Conclusions:

• Psychosocial work conditions are key determinants of sickness absence and musculoskeletal health, with notable gender differences.
• Low sense of coherence and certain lifestyle factors also play a role in disease development.
• Findings can inform targeted preventive and rehabilitation strategies in occupational health and public health initiatives.