Work experience and gender differences in chronic disease risk in older Mexicans

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between labor force participation and gender differences in the prevalence of arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension.

The Mexican Health and Aging Survey (MHAS) data is nationally representative sample of older Mexicans 50 years and older. Binomial logistic regression models were performed to examine differences between older Mexican men and women in the prevalence of arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension. Interaction effects were also estimated between gender and occupation, length of time in the labor force, and pension eligibility.

Older Mexican women have a significantly greater risk of having arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension. Findings from this study suggest that within the same occupational classification, women suffer from the damaging effects on health to a greater extent than men. Interaction effects show that women who work in services or in client's home are particularly susceptible to arthritis. Moreover, women who work in sales were at a significantly greater risk of hypertension than men.

Older Mexican women are at greater risk of chronic disease and part of their vulnerability is a result of the type of work that they do.