Inequality in the health status of workers in small-scale enterprises

Hoshuyama, Tsutomu; Hino, Yoshiyuki; Kayashima, Koutarou; Morita, Tetsuya; Goto, Hideyuki; Minami, Makiko; Sakuragi, Sonoko; Tanaka, Chieko; Takahashi, Ken

doi:10.1093/occmed/kql157

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In general, occupational health activities are less sufficient in smallerscale enterprises 25,26) . A higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity, and smoking in male workers in smaller enterprises compared to those in larger organizations was also reported in Japan 27) . Therefore, the tendencies of occupational class inequalities in smaller-scale enterprises might be different from those in large-scale enterprises.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Occupational Class Inequalities in Behavioral and Biological Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease among Workers in Medium- and Small-scale Enterprises

et al. 2012

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The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether occupational class inequalities existed in the behavioral and biological risk factors for cardiovascular disease among workers in medium-and small-scale enterprises. We asked 1,900 enterprises in the Ishikawa prefecture who were users of an external heath check-up facility to supply anonymous individual data in 2009. The 446 enterprises consented to the invitation. The study population was 12,625 individuals (8,104 males and 4,521 females) 16-59 yr of age. We compared indices among occupational classes. The indices of lipid and glucose metabolism were used only for subjects 40-59 yr of age. The results of this study revealed occupational class inequalities in the prevalence of current smoking, heavy drinking and hypertension in men. These inequalities were more prominent among men in the younger age group than in the older age group. In men, the most disadvantaged occupational class was transportation workers, followed by laborers. Occupational class inequalities in smoking were also found among female workers. However, the influences of occupational class on obesity and indices of lipid or glucose metabolism were inconsistent. A strategy for health promotion that targets the disadvantaged population is necessary for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Occupational Class Inequalities in Behavioral and Biological Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease among Workers in Medium- and Small-scale Enterprises

et al. 2012

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“…The national survey in 201423 ) showed that the corresponding prevalence of obesity were 20.9%, 27.2%, 30.9%, 34.4%, 31.2%, respectively, in men, and 10.4%, 15.9%, 17.0%, 23.7%, and 24.0% in women, respectively. Further, a previous study using health checkup data in 2000 from five occupational health organizations24 ) reported that, among men, prevalence of hypertension and obesity were slightly lower among workers in large-scale companies than those in small-scale enterprises. Thus, our finding of lower prevalence of hypertension and obesity than those in the national representative sample may be ascribed to the fact that our sample did not include workers in small and medium-sized enterprises.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Current status of health among workers in Japan: Results from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study

et al. 2016

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Data are limited on the sex-specific prevalence of diseases and their risk factors in middle-aged and older workers in Japan. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the age- and sex-specific prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome (defined using joint statement criteria), obesity, underweight, abdominal obesity, and smoking among approximately 70,000 to 90,000 Japanese workers (predominantly men) aged 20–69 years in 2014. We also investigated the prevalence of low cardiorespiratory fitness in 2012 and no leisure-time exercise in 2014. In both sexes, the prevalence of lifestyle-related risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and abdominal obesity, was increased with aging. In contrast, the prevalence of underweight was decreased with aging. Smoking prevalence exceeded 30% in men regardless of age, whereas the prevalence was around 10% in women of all age groups. Prevalence of no leisure-time exercise exceeded 50% among middle-aged and older workers in both sexes. Among workers aged 50–64 years, less than half of men had low fitness, whereas more than half of women had low fitness. Given the high prevalence of lifestyle-related risk factors among middle-aged and older workers, effective strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease in this age group are needed in Japan.

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“…First, the number of EAP contracted with SSE was small, and this suggests that few workers in SSE get services from EAP. Health status of workers in SSE is poorer compared to that of large enterprises 9) . An advantage of using EAP in SSE is that SSE, which lack their own on-site health staff [10][11][12] , can provide their employees with mental health services.…”

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confidence: 93%

Descriptive Study of External Employee Assistance Program Providers (EAP) in Japan

2012

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Abstract:The mental health problems of employees have become a major occupational health issue in Japan. External employee assistance program providers (EAP) have become important in mental health care for workers, but their activities are poorly documented. This descriptive study was undertaken to clarify the status and future tasks of EAP in Japan. The subjects were all EAP (n=27) registered in the Japanese Chapter of Employee Assistance Professionals Association. The questionnaire survey was conducted in January 2007. We received 13 replies, a response rate of 54.2%. Most EAP provided seminars, stress checks, stress management, counseling, and support for a return to work. The number of EAP contracted with small-scale enterprises was small. EAP communicated infrequently with companies. To promote the use of EAP, their advertising, education and training of staff, accumulation of scientific evidence, development of an official certification system for staff, and improvement of contents of EAP services were cited.

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Inequality in the health status of workers in small-scale enterprises

Abstract: Despite the cross-sectional design and only adjusting age as a potential confounder, higher proportions of HT, IGT, obesity and smoking in male workers were found in SSEs compared to larger organizations.

Cited by 20 publications

References 8 publications

Occupational Class Inequalities in Behavioral and Biological Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease among Workers in Medium- and Small-scale Enterprises

Occupational Class Inequalities in Behavioral and Biological Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease among Workers in Medium- and Small-scale Enterprises

Current status of health among workers in Japan: Results from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study

Descriptive Study of External Employee Assistance Program Providers (EAP) in Japan

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